Johnson says World Cup would suffer if England and France break ranks

Martin Johnson believes the World Cup would be devalued if England and France joined rugby union’s three southern hemisphere heavyweights to contest an annual tournament.

The England captain yesterday joined manager Clive Woodward in throwing his weight behind the Six Nations Championship.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill claims there is a case for England and France linking up with Tri-Nations rivals Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Six Nations critics say England have outgrown the home countries their 44-15 victory over Wales 11 days ago seemingly underlining that point and claim they need regular southern hemisphere action in order to challenge for World Cup honours.

England are expected to destroy Italy at Twickenham on Saturday, with only France and possibly Ireland rated as difficult hurdles on a relentless quest for a grand slam.

But Johnson insists the Six Nations competition commands its own respect:

‘‘Personally, I believe that if we moved into playing a regular tournament against the southern hemisphere sides then we would be playing them too much.

‘‘I also believe that by playing those teams every year the World Cup would become devalued. The Six Nations is a great tournament and I hope that it will always be there for me to play in."

Italy’s fourth visit to Twickenham will see a 75,000 sell-out crowd greet them and Johnson is relishing another big Six Nations occasion.

‘‘Italy play a very physical game and they can make our life tough. It certainly won’t come easy. In Rome last year their defence was very strong and I expect Italy to try and impose themselves on us from the start.’’

The Italians are without injured playmaker Diego Dominguez and suspended scrum-half Alessandro Troncon, both key French championship figures for their clubs.

Dominguez is still nursing a lower back problem, while Troncon must serve a three-week ban following his dismissal for punching Peter Stringer in Rome earlier this month.

Wales full-back Stephen Jones is battling to be fit for Saturday’s Six Nations Championship clash against Scotland at Murrayfield. Jones missed training yesterday because of a back problem, putting Rhys Williams on stand-by.

Williams, who was dropped after the Millennium Stadium mauling by England 11 days ago, is due to play for Wales A against their Scottish counterparts on Friday night.

And while Wales coach Graham Henry believes Jones will be fit, a final decision is expected after the squad arrive in Edinburgh this afternoon.