Johnson plans pack attack

Martin Johnson revealed England are preparing to take Italy on at their own game after he announced a forward-dominated bench for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at the Stadio Flaminio.

England have named a full replacement front row of Steve Thompson, David Wilson and the uncapped Worcester loose-head Matt Mullan for the first time since Johnson took charge 18 months ago.

Leicester lock Louis Deacon and London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage complete a five-strong forwards contingent.

Scrum-half Paul Hodgson and the versatile Toby Flood are the only backs on the bench, with Ben Foden missing out as England go for force over finesse.

Italy’s strength lies in a pack featuring the likes of Martin Castrogiovanni and, with heavy rain forecast for Sunday, Johnson has opted to match muscle with muscle.

“We have picked an entire front row, which is the right call for this game. We know what we are getting into,” said Johnson.

“We have done a 5-2 split before with two back rowers but never three front row forwards.

“With the way we are going to play the front row is going to have to work very hard so it’s good we have the depth.

“Whilst we don’t want to go into a game that is solely about close-quarter work, that is a part of it. We shouldn’t be afraid of our driving game and pick go and it should be a part of our armoury.

“Against Italy the scrummage is important along with the clear-out work and getting fatigue into the opposition is a key part and that’s what we will be trying to exploit.”

It will be down to Jonny Wilkinson and Riki Flutey to exploit that fatigue by changing the point of attack and bringing strike runners into play.

It is a key area England are looking to improve upon following last weekend’s 30-17 victory over Wales, when Mathew Tait, Ugo Monye, Mark Cueto and Delon Armitage had very little opportunity in attack.

Wilkinson has always played at his best for England with a general on his shoulder, barking orders and helping to guide the team around the field.

When England dominated world rugby, Wilkinson took all the plaudits but he always deflected the praise towards Will Greenwood or Mike Catt. He still does.

Flutey can fulfil that role and Wilkinson is excited by the potential in their partnership.

“I can see a bit of Catty in him, in terms of his vision of the game, which is very clear. I see Riki as an out-and-out threat playing at 12 and he talks well too,” said Wilkinson.

“When you are a bit wider in the 12 position you have a bit more time away from where the scrum-half is passing the ball to scan the field and see what is going on.

“The biggest goal this weekend for us is to play with the ball. It is a balance but seeing guys get the ball in the right areas is a key for me.”

England’s preparations have been affected all week, with captain Steve Borthwick kept in isolation on Monday and Tuesday after contracting a bug.

Simon Shaw has also been laid low while the heaviest snowfall to hit Rome in 25 years today turned an 18-minute bus ride to training into an hour and a half.

But Johnson warned his players that excuses would not be tolerated – and he said that England will only start growing into a force to be reckoned with if they start stringing performances together.

“There was a bit frustration and I told the guys ’you either use it as an excuse to train badly or you just get on with it’ and we trained well in the circumstances,” said Johnson.

“There was snow on the ball when it was being passed and on the floor. Its a mental discipline more than anything.

“Attitude when we take the field away from home is a key factor.

“There is potentially an issue after a win of euphoria and getting carried away with yourself – but the mark of a good side is backing up one good performance and a victory with another.”