JOHNNO CALM IN DEFEAT - ARMITAGE
Martin Johnson did not deliver an almighty dressing down to his England team who lost 14-13 to Ireland on Saturday – in fact he was calm, according to Delon Armitage.
The result at Croke Park, made to look more flattering by the London Irish full-back’s late try, leaves England in fourth place in the RBS 6 Nations. But two more sin-binnings – making it 10 in only four games – had manager Johnson fuming in the stands.
Eight points from home skipper Brian O’Driscoll and six from the boot of Ronan O’Gara won the game for Ireland. But 18 penalties and Phil Vickery and Danny Care’s dismissals made the job easier for Declan Kidney’s side, who are still on course for their first grand slam.
Johnson, however, did not give the hairdryer treatment to his England team, who have won only two games in seven since he took command. “He didn't go off on one like people might think he would have done," said Armitage.
“He was very calm about it because he could see it on the boys' faces – we knew we had blown a big chance of beating Ireland. There was no point in ranting and raving about. We were already hurting badly.”
The 25-year-old insisted that there were some pluses and vowed his team would produce a better performance against France on March 14. “We showed at times we can play good rugby and be positive,” he continued. “We can score tries.
“I think we are going in the right direction. We are competing with these teams when people are writing us off. If only we can cut down the errors and silly penalties.
“We need to work on our ill-discipline otherwise we will get beaten by teams and we won't give ourselves any chance of winning any games.”
Martin Johnson did not deliver an almighty dressing down to his England team who lost 14-13 to Ireland on Saturday – in fact he was calm, according to Delon Armitage.
The result at Croke Park, made to look more flattering by the London Irish full-back’s late try, leaves England in fourth place in the RBS 6 Nations. But two more sin-binnings – making it 10 in only four games – had manager Johnson fuming in the stands.
Eight points from home skipper Brian O’Driscoll and six from the boot of Ronan O’Gara won the game for Ireland. But 18 penalties and Phil Vickery and Danny Care’s dismissals made the job easier for Declan Kidney’s side, who are still on course for their first grand slam.
Johnson, however, did not give the hairdryer treatment to his England team, who have won only two games in seven since he took command. “He didn't go off on one like people might think he would have done," said Armitage.
“He was very calm about it because he could see it on the boys' faces – we knew we had blown a big chance of beating Ireland. There was no point in ranting and raving about. We were already hurting badly.”
The 25-year-old insisted that there were some pluses and vowed his team would produce a better performance against France on March 14. “We showed at times we can play good rugby and be positive,” he continued. “We can score tries.
“I think we are going in the right direction. We are competing with these teams when people are writing us off. If only we can cut down the errors and silly penalties.
“We need to work on our ill-discipline otherwise we will get beaten by teams and we won't give ourselves any chance of winning any games.”
Labels: Delon Armitage, England, Ireland, Martin Johnson, RBS 6 Nations
