England boss Johnson ready for ‘special’ Croker clash
The new England manager brings his charges to GAA headquarters on February 28 for the bi-annual fixture that two years ago proved one of Irish sport’s most memorable occasions. While respect was shown by the Irish fans towards the England team — then led by Martin Corry and coached by Brian Ashton — and for ‘God Save the Queen’, the visitors suffered a heavy 43-13 defeat.
Yesterday, however, proved a taxing and draining day for Johnson, who was attending his first Six Nations launch as England boss. The brooding but very approachable former England skipper dealt capably with a litany of questions on Matt Stevens, the England and Bath prop who tested positive for a banned substance and was subsequently removed from England’s Elite Player Squad.
However, away from the Stevens affair, Johnson admitted he’s looking forward to his Croke Park experience, emphasising his respect for the venue while understanding the significance of an England side facing Ireland again at GAA Headquarters.
“I didn’t go two years ago, but the guys who played there said the atmosphere was amazing, one of those special occasions. Unfortunately for us it wasn’t special in terms of the score.”
Asked whether the build-up and hype around the fixture two seasons ago won’t be as big this year, Johnson remained unsure, but stressed his side will need to put in a better performance for one of the championship’s glamour ties.
“We just want to play well and put a performance in. I watched that game (in 2007) and it was a tremendously passionate performance from the Irish team. It obviously had a big effect on them playing there. We have to stand up to that — we have to go and play, stand up for ourselves and put in a performance.
“We go to Cardiff three weeks before that as well and have got two, major passionate challenges to overcome before we go to Croke Park.”
Johnson, like Ireland coach Declan Kidney, will be experiencing his first Six Nations campaign as boss, and reckons his Irish counterpart can be a success in his new job.
“I’m not happy in some ways (with Kidney’s appointment) because he’s a pretty good coach!’ he quipped before adding. “But he’s going to do a good job. I think he’s a nice guy, the little I know of him and I wish him well.”
There was a strong sense at yesterday’s press day that Ireland are being labelled one of the favourites, along with Wales and France. Ireland haven’t lifted a Six Nations Championship since 1985 and a Grand Slam since 1948. Whether Ireland and this golden generation now under Declan Kidney can attain the Holy Grail of northern hemisphere rugby remains to be seen, but Johnson — who won Grand Slam titles in 1995 and 2003 — insisted that winning Grand Slams is not easy.
“I played on a team that couldn’t win a Grand Slam for four or five years (1999-2002). We had come within a shout every year but couldn’t close the deal until 2003. Winning a Grand Slam is a very tough thing to do. This year I think they’re pretty well placed. A lot of people are talking about the Welsh. I think that quietly Ireland have got a chance.”
England captain Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, said Croke Park could turn into another “emotional atmosphere” and match that unforgettable night two years ago. “You can’t look too far ahead or you miss what’s right in front of you,” warned Borthwick, who leads England against Italy and Wales before travelling to Dublin. “It’s going to be an intense game, a tremendous spectacle with an emotional atmosphere against an Ireland team that’s an exceptional one.
“Many of the players have been together a long time, and they’ve got some great talent in that team. It’s an exciting game — as rugby player it’s the sort of game as a rugby player you want to be involved in.
“Ireland also have many young players coming through, a good experienced pack and in players lie Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell men of the highest calibre who rise to the big occasions. It’ll be great game.”
Johnson also said he was disappointed to learn of Matt Stevens’ positive drug test, adding there was a little feeling of being let down by the Bath prop.
“There are a range of things you fell at different times about it. It’s sad and it’s sad for Matt as an individual and as a player.
“As a squad we all want Matt to get over it and get back to doing what he wants to do. You want that to happen but there’s a long process to go.
“There’s always a case where we need to trust people on and off the field and Matt’s unavailability affects the squad. It affects him far more in many other ways because he’s got an issue. Frankly, it’s something that a lot of us in the world have got little or no experience of. But it’s there, it’s in society. It’s out there.
“Yeah, there’s a little bit of feeling of being let down, but there’s also an element of concern for him. I don’t know about understanding but it’s something a lot us have little or experience of — maybe we need to educate ourselves a little bit more.”
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