History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

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.”

Labels: Delon Armitage, England, Ireland, Martin Johnson, RBS 6 Nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:06 pm | Permalink | Comments

STEFFON DETERMINED TO GIVE IT HIS ALL

While Steffon Armitage concedes that his inclusion at openside flanker for England’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy on Saturday is by virtue of injuries to others, he is certainly determined to make the most of his opportunity.

The 5’9” London Irish No7 may not have the traditional frame for an international backrower, or indeed the experience of the sidelined trio of Tom Rees, Lewis Moody and Michael Lipman.

But what he lacks in stature, he makes up for in dynamism and ubiquity, and has – in the eyes of punters and pundits alike – fully earned his first cap, following a number of scintillating displays for his club that has helped lift them to second in the Guinness Premiership.

Dismissed by Saracens in 2006 for being too small, Armitage was snapped up by Irish, where older brother Delon was already starring at full-back. Injuries, once more, played their part and when he eventually broke into the first team he vowed to give his all, so that he would be impossible to drop.

“I finally got my chance to play at Irish through injuries, and all the boys stuck with me,” says the 23-year-old. “And I didn’t want to let the guys down at all, so I gave it everything I had in every single game. I would go out there and give it 110 per cent, every single time. I can't sleep before any game because I get so nervous and go into it thinking it's my last one.

“I’ve also got my England chance through injury and I hope I can go out there and take my opportunities with both hands. I will be trying to do the things I have done over the years – driving and getting stuck in, giving the opposition a hard time.”

Perhaps Martin Johnson sees in Armitage something of his former Leicester Tigers, England and Lions team-mate, Neil Back, who was similarly pint-sized in comparison to most other international backrowers. Regardless of the thinking behind the decision, the Trinidad-born No7 admits that he was delighted to be told by one of his heroes that he would be playing for England, alongside his brother.

“My heart is still pumping having got the call,” he continues. “It really hasn't sunk in yet. Martin and I sat down after dinner on Monday and he said: ‘Steffon, I have been really impressed by you, and we are going to give you a start this weekend.’

“I stopped breathing for a second! And then he said: ‘We have picked you because you are one of the form players in the Premiership, and we have faith in you.’ And that is the bit that got me the most. It was coming from an absolute legend – Martin Johnson, a World Cup-winning captain. It was a bit emotional.”

When he runs out on to Twickeham with Delon, who made his international bow in the autumn and was named England’s player of the series, Steffon will become part of only nine brothers to have played together for the Red Rose.

“I'm pretty happy we're both in there and so proud of Delon for getting there before me,” he adds. “But I want to do my best in every game. I am going to go into Saturday’s game with the same mentality.”

BOX OUT

The Armitages are the first brothers to represent England on the same pitch since Rory and Tony Underwood in 1995. Reginald and Louis Birkett started the trend back in 1875.

Delon, 25, is delighted that his younger brother has been given the nod to play alongside him against Italy. “Playing on my own [for England] was brilliant,” he says, “but to have my brother there now, I'm speechless.

“If we get a chance to stand next to each other at the national anthem we probably will sing together and probably shed a couple of tears.

“I have tried to let Stef take all the England stuff in himself, like I got the chance to. The last thing you want is an older brother telling you what to do, what will happen. But I want him to learn it all on his own. Obviously I will be the elder brother and there if he needs any advice.

“He was disappointed not to get picked in the autumn and he worked on his fitness and played even better. He has worked really hard and I am glad he has the chance, like I did, to see if he is good enough to compete at international level. Hopefully he can improve even more and we can both keep our shirts now.”

Labels: Delon Armitage, Guinness Premiership, Italy, London Irish, Martin Johnson, RBS 6 Nations, Steffon Armitage

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:46 pm | Permalink | Comments

ARMITAGE: ENGLAND AIM FOR SIX NATIONS SUCCESS

Delon Armitage has set his sights on winning next sping’s Six Nations tournament despite Martin Johnson’s reign as England manager beginning with three defeats from four autumn internationals. The London Irish full-back, who made his debut in the 39-13 win over Pacific Islanders last month, believes that England “will come back firing” and that it is only a matter of time before the team click.

Johnson’s first series in charge concluded on Saturday with a 32-6 defeat to New Zealand, who became the first team to win a grand slam of the home nations without conceding a try, thanks to Dan Carter’s 17 kicked points, Mils Muliaina’s two tries and man-of-the-match Ma’a Nonu’s late score.

England managed just one try in their last three matches – the All Black reverse followed heavy defeats to Australia [28-14] and South Africa [42-6, a record home loss] – and Armitage thinks that the players need to study the defeats to the Southern Hemisphere teams to help sharpen their finishing.

“We are very disappointed to lose three games in the series, but there are plenty of positives that we can work on for the Six Nations,” the 24-year-old said.

“We are creating chances and we have good players getting over the gain-line. We have learned a good lesson from New Zealand, and the other teams, that if you finish your chances, you will win games.

“You want to play against the best and see where you are in terms of progress and what you need to improve on. It is only going to do us good.”

He added: “Hopefully, with the good, young team we have got, we will gel sooner or later.

“We will definitely have to improve for the Six Nations. We want to win the Six Nations – we are not there to make up the numbers. We will come back firing.”

Labels: All Blacks, Australia, Delon Armitage, England, Martin Johnson, Rugby Football Union, South Africa

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:25 am | Permalink | Comments

ARMITAGE VOWS TO MAKE No15 SHIRT HIS OWN

Delon Armitage has vowed to make the England full-back shirt his own following his man-of-the-match display on his debut against the Pacific Islanders. Before Saturday's 39-13 win, Martin Johnson's first game in charge, the London Irish speedster had had his nerves eased thanks to an "out-of-the-blue" text message from Jason Robinson, the retired World Cup winning No15 and former team-mate of Johnson’s who backed Armitage to cement his place in the team.

The 24-year-old, the country's ninth full-back in 18 months, was assured under the high ball, in defence and showed his electric pace in attack at Twickenham as England ran in five tries thanks to two from winger Paul Sackey and one each for Danny Cipriani, Lee Mears and lock Nick Kennedy, Armitage's club colleague, also making his international bow.

"I don"t think my debut could have gone any better," said the Trinidad-born No15, who previously played for France Under-16s. "When I woke up in the morning I was just panicking - I had so many butterflies that I couldn't have breakfast.

"I got a text from Jason Robinson before the game - it was a big booster for me. He told me to go out there and enjoy it because I deserve it. He said: 'You have worked really hard for it and this is where you should be.' When such great player tells you that, it really lifts you and give you the confidence to think that you can play at this level.

"I want to keep this shirt - I want to make the No15 shirt mine. Hopefully I can keep working hard and Johnno will pick me again. There is quite a lot of work still to be done. Australia are a very tough team and we are going to have to step it up another level and work really hard this week."

Labels: Delon Armitage, England, Rugby Football Union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:11 pm | Permalink | Comments