Johnson eager to renew rivalry with Wallabies

MARTIN JOHNSON fired a warning to Australia that England will head Down Under next month with the strongest touring team since he lifted the Rugby World Cup on their shores in 2003.

Team manager Johnson is relishing the chance to stoke up old rivalries and return to the scene of his finest hour, when England defeated the Wallabies in Sydney to be crowned world champions.

Steve Borthwick, Louis Deacon, Phil Vickery, Andrew Sheridan, Riki Flutey and Tom Rees will all miss the five-match tour for a variety of injury-related reasons.

But Olly Barkley, David Flatman, Charlie Hodgson and David Strettle have forced their way back into a 44-man senior squad after impressive seasons in the Guinness Premiership.

Tom Croft will hope to recapture his Lions form after an injury-disrupted campaign – and Johnson challenged the nine uncapped players in the party to break into his World Cup plans. The England manager believes the build-up to next year’s World Cup in New Zealand starts now.

“It’s probably the strongest squad we have taken down there since 2003-04 in terms of depth,” said Johnson.

“We want to give guys a chance to play in a tough environment. England v Australia at any sport has always got an edge for us.

“The guys are looking forward to the tour more than any I remember. The tour is the start of the build-up to 2011 in terms of selection.”

England have lost three Tests on Australian soil by the average score of 43-12 since Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis trophy at the Olympic Stadium in November, 2003.

England come together to play the Barbarians at Twickenham on May 30 and Johnson’s men then face two Tests against the Wallabies and two midweek matches against the Australian Barbarians before meeting the New Zealand Maori in Napier.

“We don’t tour again before the next World Cup and the big picture of 2011 is always in our minds,” said Johnson.

“This is an opportunity for players to work with senior coaches and be in the group. There will be midweek games, guys will have to muck in, help out in Test-team training midweek and vice versa. Good things that build teams.”

Johnson delayed naming his captain until after the Premiership semi-finals but Lewis Moody appears set to continue in the role, fitness permitting, in Borthwick’s absence.

Danny Cipriani was not considered for selection due to his impending move to Australian Super 15 team the Melbourne Rebels.