England hope appointing Martin Johnson as their new team manager will lead to a “fresh approach” after one of rugby’s worst kept secrets finally became public knowledge. The 2003 World Cup-winning captain, who has no senior coaching experience, replaces former head coach Brian Ashton, who took England to the final of last year’s World Cup and then, last month, to second place in the Six Nations — their best placing in the tournament for five years.
Johnson, whose contract runs until after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, will not take up his new post until July 1. The former Leicester Tigers lock will miss England’s two-Tests away to the All Blacks in JuAne because the 38-year-old’s wife is expecting the couple’s second child at that time.
Instead Rob Andrew, the director of elite rugby at the Rugby Football Union and the man who recommended Johnson should be given full management, coaching and selectorial control, will be England’s team manager in New Zealand as well as when they play the Barbarians at Twickenham on July 1.
Meanwhile Ashton has been offered his old job of national academy director. Even his harshest critics accept the 61-year-old is an excellent coach of young players, having brought on the likes of gifted rising stars Danny Cipriani and James Haskell when first in charge at the academy.
But whether the patriotic Ashton, who has maintained a dignified silence whilst the RFU, who once promised him he would have the manager of his choice and let him continue after the World Cup, went after Johnson will accept what effectively constitutes a demotion remains to be seen.
For all the RFU’s talk of a new start, one thing has remained constant. Just as Ashton inherited forwards coach John Wells and defense specialist Mike Ford when taking over following the unsuccessful reign of Andy Robinson before last year’s Six Nations, so has Johnson inherited the same backroom duo.
He has though been given the scope to appoint a new coach — likely to be a backs expert as this was Ashton’s area of expertise — with his former England team-mate Mike Catt a leading candidate.Wells and Ford, together with kicking specialist, will join ex-England outside-half Andrew in New Zealand.
“It is a great honor for me to be offered this position,” Johnson said on Wednesday. “I am passionate about the England team and delivering success for it.”
“I am delighted Martin is joining the England structure as team manager. He will bring a new and fresh approach to team development and preparation in his own inimitable style,” Andrew said.
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