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Rugby Union

Wilkinson backs Johnson for England managerial role

08/04/2008

England star Jonny Wilkinson has given his backing to Martin Johnson over the possibility of taking the new team manager's position.

The World Cup-winning captain has been approached by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) over taking a role alongside Brian Ashton in dealing with the media and some of the other public-facing aspects of coaching England.

And Wilkinson, who was a team-mate of Johnson's during the 2003 World Cup in Australia, has nothing but praise for the former second-row forward.

He told the Times newspaper: "I know Johnno as a player and as a leader, the two qualities that are massively important.

"He is an uncompromising, ruthless individual, when you need that, but away from the game, he's a guy who is understanding and empathetic."

Wilkinson described Johnson's man-management skills as "second to none", saying it was the skipper's influence that helped him relax in the international lineup from early in his career.

"He made me feel comfortable and settled in the England environment when I was young," the Newcastle Falcons number ten continued.

"He has barely put a foot wrong in his life. In life and in the vocations you follow, you are pretty much what you repeatedly do, and what he has done is repeatedly perform at the highest level.

"He has never let anyone down and has been extremely successful. He has qualities you can only admire and respect.

"He would bring with him his experience, attitude and his own inherent power and drive for success and I think it would happily be of huge benefit to England."