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Rugby Union

Johnson demands physical approach

28/07/2007

Former captain Martin Johnson says England must return to a more physical approach to the game if they are to retain their World Cup crown this September in France.

The lock forward says England must adopt a similar style to New Zealand and begin dominating opposition sides at the breakdown.

Johnson said that the best way to defend is to stop the opposition at rucks and mauls, thus limiting their momentum.

He said: "People talk about the intimidating factor and that is the game. It is physical. You have to win the collisions. You have to win that battle.

"Look at New Zealand. They win a huge amount of the breakdown situations. Those areas have become massively competitive."

England conceded 115 points during the 2007 Six Nations campaign, including a record 43-13 defeat to Ireland at Croke Park, which Johnson attributes to their lack of physicality.

He said: "We have gone away a bit from being very competitive at the breakdown. We need to get back to what we do well. Make it difficult for teams to win the ball."

The former England captain warned that if the team did not improve physically then their opposition would think the team lacked pride and passion.

Johnson said the current side were a long way from being the side that lifted the World Cup four years ago but that if they played well they could reach the semi-finals and from there could challenge for the trophy.

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