England need discipline, says Tindall

Mike Tindall insisted England must keep on the right side of the law against France tomorrow - because they dare not risk the wrath of an angry Martin Johnson once again.

Johnson reacted furiously as England's ill-discipline cost them the game against Ireland and he punished his squad by pushing them through boot-camp style training sessions this week.

England have received 10 yellow cards in their last four Tests, including one for Tindall at Croke Park, and have conceded more than 60 penalties.

Johnson has called referees Wayne Barnes and Andrew Small into the camp and, when not being put through punishing conditioning runs, England have spent a fortnight studying their mistakes.

Asked how Johnson might react if England's discipline lets them down against France tomorrow, Tindall said: "I think he will get his 30 millimetre studs on and start stamping on us!"

Tindall, who won the World Cup alongside Johnson in 2003, understands how frustrated his former captain feels at no longer being able to affect things on the pitch.

He reminded the rest of the England squad just where the final responsibility lies.

"With Johnno, you can see there is obviously still a player in him. When you are a player you can do something about it - but sat in the stands there is nothing to do apart from punch a chair," he said.

"He is never easy going but he is also quite a logical guy and he can see us trying to work it out.

"We have got to learn when things are not going our way to be squeaky clean. We had a two-hour meeting with the referee. It is down to individuals to make the right calls.

"I don't think we help ourselves and we are not helping the referee by giving away easy penalties.

"He is going to get annoyed by that and those marginal calls that we might get don't go your way if you upset the referee with stupid penalties.

"We want to live on the edge but we are giving away five or six completely stupid dull penalties which when put in the grand scheme of things might cost you the marginal calls.

"Without doubt we have to get rid of it. You can see them, everyone can see them, they look ugly and it is never going to help you convince the ref that you are trying to do things on the edge but trying to make it legal."

France will arrive at Twickenham tomorrow with a monstrous side, none more physically daunting than Mathieu Bastareaud, the cousin of Arsenal defender William Gallas, who will stand at outside centre opposite Tindall.

"His size doesn't matter to me," said Tindall.

"They have threats throughout the team but you can't worry about all of them. We want to improve and that means focusing on what we are about.

"We haven't conceded a try with 15 men on the field. Hopefully we will keep all 15 men intact and improve on what we are trying to do attack-wise."