Johnson: Clubs’ failures not relevant
Northampton are the only one from seven Guinness Premiership clubs to have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. But Johnson insisted there is no correlation between that disappointment and England’s ambitions of winning their first championship title since 2003.
“In an ideal world we’d have three or four teams there (in the quarter-finals) because it is good for the players, but we haven’t,” Johnson said at yesterday’s competition launch in London.
“Some guys have come into camp disappointed from the weekend but they get into England mode very quickly and they are happy to be back together as a group.
“Last year the French clubs didn’t have a particularly good time of it in Europe but the Six Nations games were very close. This year they will be very close.
“Last year we lost to Ireland and Wales by a combined total of nine points. Scotland were very competitive last year and they will be a better side this year.
“It will be just as tight this year. Anyone who predicts who will win the title is a brave guy.”
England finished strongly with victories over France and Scotland to finish second in last year’s Six Nations before enduring a miserable, injury-hit autumn campaign.
England’s performances against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand were heavily criticised for being toothless and laboured.
Johnson admitted the coaching had been “over-prescriptive” and his efforts to sharpen England’s attacking edge have been boosted by the return of key players.
Delon Armitage, Riki Flutey and Toby Flood have all recovered from injury while Johnson has promoted promising youngsters Courtney Lawes, Dan Cole, Matt Mullan and Ben Foden into the squad.
Johnson believes he is developing competition for places which is vital leading into the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
“The next World Cup is 18 months away and we are building a good squad,” he said. “We are starting to add a bit of depth, more than ever. There is competition throughout and that is what you need. This is the best squad we have had in my time in charge and it will only get stronger.”
Johnson’s choice of the 30-year-old Saracens lock Steve Borthwick as captain has been the focus of intense debate with some critics querying his right to be in the England side in the first place. But Johnson said the players were fully behind their captain.
“Steve has done a great job in difficult circumstances, the players are all behind him, he has a huge amount of integrity,” Johnson said.
“We have a good leadership group — that you can have three, four, five guys who could be captain.”
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