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Rugby Union

Johnson to pass on England job

20/11/2007

World Cup-winning skipper Martin Johnson has played down speculation linking him with a role in the England management setup.

The former Leicester Tigers stalwart had emerged as a possible figurehead for a new regime should the Rugby Football Union opt to dispense with the services of Brian Ashton.

It is understood that Johnson was under consideration as a possible team manager rather than in a coaching capacity.

The campaign for his appointment to a national role had been given momentum by endorsements from Sir Clive Woodward and Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler, but Johnson himself believes any immediate opportunity has come too soon for him.

"If I ever got involved as manager of England then I'd want to do it with a bit of experience behind me," he said.

"This is not the right time for me. If Rob [Andrew, RFU's director of elite rugby] were to call me now then I'd tell him the same thing.

"There's a perception that I'll turn up and everything will be all right. When things are going badly for England the coaches will not tell the players anything different to what I'd tell them.

"People are assuming I could walk back in - but it doesn't work like that."

Departing Springboks coach Jake White and former international number eight Dean Richards have also been linked with some future involvement with the team as the uncertainty continues over Ashton's future.