Johnson tipped for England role
March 19 2008
World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson has been backed to revive the fortunes of the England rugby team by taking over as national team manager.
On the back of their unexpected run to the final of last year's World Cup in France, Brian Ashton's England endured a disappointing Six Nations Championship with defeats to both Wales and Scotland.
As a consequence, Ashton has found his position under renewed scrutiny with many pundits calling for a change in the coaching structure.
However, former captain Martin Corry feels the appointment of Johnson to a managerial role could help lift spirits and also ease the burden on Ashton.
Johnson is reported to be meeting the RFU's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew in the next couple of days and could be installed into the England set-up in time for the two end-of-season Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
"Johnno has got to be involved because he has all the qualities you want in a rugby leader," Corry told the Daily Mail.
"In terms of what you are looking for in a leader, he has an aura about him. To start with, he knows the game. He makes the right calls.
"There has to be an obvious leader overseeing the whole structure.
"That's probably what has been lacking and what Brian has been looking for, someone to be at the top to co-ordinate the whole thing while he gets on with coaching."