England get Johnson seal of approval

Former England captain Martin Johnson is confident his former team-mates can shake off the blow of losing Jonny Wilkinson and make a winning start to their RBS 6 Nations campaign.

Johnson, who retired from international rugby after helping England win the World Cup last year, admits Italy will have an extra incentive to upset the new world champions in their Six Nations opener on Sunday.

England look less intimidating without injured World Cup hero Wilkinson but Johnson is confident coach Clive Woodward has picked a formidable team.

He told the Press Association: “They are always under pressure but everyone wants to beat us a little bit extra with the World Cup – I think the guys will relish the challenge and look forward to it.

“The challengers have made some noises about giving us a big fright and let’s hope it’s a great game and I’m sure the boys will be up for it.

“It’s an exciting team, a few guys out from the World Cup team, a few injured, but some good guys are in there so they will be looking forward to it.

“Like any team, it’s about who’s there, not about who’s not there. There’s plenty of experience.

“It’s the same every week – once you get on the field it’s 15 against 15, whether it’s a World Cup final, Six Nations, or whatever, and they will be looking forward to it.

“They will want to play the game, play it well, and get a good win. It’s about winning and there’s no pressure about winning well, it’s just about winning games and trying to retain the Grand Slam.”

England flanker Lewis Moody echoed Johnson’s thought and predicted a tough opener in Rome.

Moody, not selected for the match by Woodward, said: “I think it’s going to be an extremely difficult season for them this year.

“Everyone is going to be gunning for us as usual, especially now with the World Cup in our hands. Everyone’s going to think if they beat us then they’re the world champions so it’s going to be very difficult for the lads.

“But there’s not been much change from last season and the season before in terms of pressure going into the games because everyone always wants to beat England and everyone raises their game when they play England.

“It will be an interesting tournament this year definitely, Ireland and Wales are both playing very well, especially Wales on the back of their World Cup performances, and France are always a bit of an unknown quantity.”