Johnson: ‘Ballgate’ is my responsibility

ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson last night accepted responsibility for the Rugby World Cup ‘ballgate’ scandal which has seen two of his management team suspended.

Johnson confirmed he was involved in the decision to ban Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking mentor Dave Alred and fitness specialist Paul Stridgeon from this morning’s decisive Pool B showdown with Scotland (kick-off 8.30am Irish time).

The two coaches had illegally switched the ball Wilkinson was due to kick conversions with on a number of occasions during the first half of England’s 67-3 victory over Romania.