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

WHY JOHNNO IS AN UNSUCCESSFUL ENGLAND MANAGER

Martin Johnson's lack of success at England manager should be no
surprise as most top sportsmen do not make good coaches or managers,
points out a leading sports psychologist.

Under Johnson, England's World Cup winning captain in 2003, the Red Rose
have won just two out of seven matches and have dropped to their lowest
world ranking - eighth.

Johnson, who took up the role as England manager last summer having no
coaching experience, is struggling to impose his authority on the team -
and Dr Sik believes it is a matter of communication.

He said: "The great fallacy of all team sports is the assumption that if
you are a good player and motivator on the pitch then you will make a
good coach or manager.

"The problem is usually communication. Look at most of the great
football managers - Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson -
most of them were, at best, mediocre players.

"And then if you look at the great players, like Sir Bobby Moore and Sir
Bobby Charlton, they made a complete hash of it.

"The reason for that is because if you are very naturally talented then
it is very difficult to get across that gift that you have got to other
people, because if comes so naturally to you.

"Personality is another reason. I am sure that Martin Johnson was a huge
dressing room influence. But if you have not got the players and they
are undisciplined then it is very difficult to turn it round however
charismatic a person you are.

"And Personality can only go so far - you need certain skills. If you
don't have that coaching experience it can be quite difficult."

Labels: Dr George Sik, England, Martin Johnson, Sir Alex Ferguson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:50 pm | Permalink | Comments

RICHARDS RECOMMENDS COACHING YEAR ABROAD

Come May, when Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan is expected to step down, and if his opposite man at Gloucester, Dean Ryan, relinquishes his role, too, Dean Richards of Harlequins will be longest-serving coach in the Guinness Premiership. The 45-year-old former England No8 points to a sojourn in a small city at the foot of the Alps to explain his durability – and suggests that other coaches, including Martin Johnson, do the same.

Richards, who made 48 appearances for the Red Rose and won six Lions caps, moved upstairs at Leicester Tigers in February 1998 after his playing career finished. With Johnson as his captain, Richards’s team won four consecutive Premiership titles and the first Zürich Championship play-offs, as well as back-to-back Heineken Cups in 2001 and 2002. They are still the only side to have managed that feat. However, in 2004, Richards was shown the door at Welford Road as his side, shorn of its internationals, slipped to 11th in the table.

It was an acrimonious split between the Tigers and a man who had spent 20 years at the club, but Richards moved over to southeast France – and he believes it was his year in Grenoble, in spite of it not being a failure in terms of results, that re-energised his coaching career. And he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

“After being at Leicester Tigers for seven years I spent a fantastic year in France,” he says. “It showed me a different culture, a different way of life and a different style of and attitude to rugby, too. Even though we didn’t do particularly well, it reinvigorated me. What I saw over there I brought back and it changed my attitude to rugby.

“Because of the intensity of the Guinness Premiership you have to be like an international manager – it is not like the Super 14, when it is intense for very short periods of time. There is very little respite in England – you are going pretty much from the beginning of July right to the end of May.

“You can understand why you do need a change, and that change makes a massive difference. But rugby is something that I grew up with and has been a part of my life since the age of ten or 11. I’m entrenched in rugby, it is my passion and it is why I am still here.”

After taking the reins at Harlequins in 2005, following their relegation, Richards has carefully moulded a young team who don’t look out of place at third in the table. In Newcastle this Sunday they could make it six wins on the bounce for the first time in their Guinness Premiership history.

“We are pleased with the five wins in a row – and though I am not interested in records, I am keen to keep on winning,” Richards continues. “It doesn’t matter how many wins we get, because once we get the momentum going, the winning habit is a difficult one to break. But we have some tough games, starting with Newcastle away at the weekend.”

Labels: Dean Richards, Guinness Premiership, London Harlequins, Martin Johnson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:30 pm | Permalink | Comments

FLUTEY: ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

England rounded off their Six Nations campaign with a flourish, defeating Scotland 26-12 at Twickenham. But despite earning three victories, scoring the most tries (16) and finishing second to grand slam winners Ireland, centre Riki Flutey believes that there is plenty of room for improvement – especially with the team’s fitness.

The 29-year-old, who will move from London Wasps to French club Brive in the summer, crossed for his fourth try of the championship on Saturday and finished as equal top try scorer with Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll.

Harlequins wing Ugo Monye notched his first try for England and there was a late score for replacement Mathew (sic) Tait, while fly half Toby Flood kicked eight points and Danny Care laced a drop-goal. Scottish full back Chris Paterson booted four penalties in reply, but it was not enough to hold on to the Calcutta Cup.

And while Maori-born Flutey was pleased, he warned that he and his team-mates must work much harder on their fitness if they are to improve further. “The Six Nations has been fantastic for us,” he said. “In the autumn there was something there and it is really starting to come together now.

“We have definitely kicked on but there are still a lot of things we need to work on. There is a lot of room from improvement in the team right across the board. Our fitness can definitely be improved so we can push on right through and play the way we want to play for 80 minutes.

“You need your fitness, strength and power – there is always room for improvement because I was out on the field against Scotland I got a couple of knocks and the old lungs were pumping a little bit. When you get in that position you wonder: ‘Am I doing a lot of work or is it maybe because I need a bit more fitness under my belt?’”

Labels: England, Martin Johnson, RBS 6 Nations, Riki Flutey, Scotland

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 4:09 pm | Permalink | Comments

HARRY AND ANDY HAVE GOODE THING GOING

For five seasons Harry Ellis and Andy Goode were the names inked on the Leicester Tigers’ team sheet at No9 and No10. Fly-half Goode headed to Brive in south France in the summer but, as lady fortune intervened, the duo rekindled their partnership at Twickenham last Saturday in England’s 36-11 win over Italy.

Last month Goode, who had been in the international wilderness for over two years, was pulled into the England squad by former Tigers team-mate Martin Johnson, and – following an injury to Toby Flood, and with Danny Cipriani being dropped to the Saxons – was handed the No10 jersey against the Azzurri. He duly crossed for a try after only 94 seconds to announce his return.

Similarly with 26-year-old Ellis, two years Goode’s junior, an element of kismet played a part in his re-elevation to the England team. After being overlooked for Harlequins’ Danny Care in the autumn, he was then banned for six weeks after he dropped Daniel Carter dangerously in a Heineken Cup game. When Care slipped on an icy step before the Italy game, Ellis was promoted from the Saxons and won plaudits for his two-try, man-of-the-match showing.

“I was on the bench for the autumn internationals and then was banned, so I was away from rugby for a while,” says the 26-year-old. “So I was delighted to get the chance to get back in the England team, alongside Andy, and I enjoyed the victory against Italy.

“It’s been great to link up with Andy again – the last time we played together was in the Guinness Premiership final back in May (which Leicester lost 26-16). It is good to be playing with him again – he is a very talented fly-half.

“We communicate well and I have been lucky enough to play alongside him for a number of years. I just try and give a good service to whoever is playing No10, but it helps when you know what to expect from them – where they will be and what sort of pass they want. It’s just funny how things work out.”

Ellis, who made his Tigers’ debut in 2001 and was named young player of the season that year, is determined to make the most of his good fortune – and hopes to inspire England to victory over Wales.

He continues: “I came in late because of Danny’s injury, but I am just trying to take my opportunity because that chance does not come round too often. We have very high standards and a good work ethic, and I thought I could have improved against Italy. Hopefully we can all iron out the mistakes we make against Italy in time for this Saturday’s match. We need to improve in pretty much every area against the Welsh.


“I can’t wait to play against Mike Phillips, or the other two scrumhalves – they are all great. Wales have a very talented team and they are playing with a lot of confidence at the moment. The Millennium Stadium is a difficult place to play, too. There will be a great atmosphere but we are all relishing the opportunity to play against them in their back yard.”

Goode, currently the leading points scorer in France’s Top 14, is far more comfortable having Ellis inside him. “I have played with Harry for a countless number of years and we have built up a good relationship,” he says. “He naturally knows where I will be, and I know what to expect from him.

“He probably picks up my voice more quickly than other No9s, without having to look, and he knows my game-plan. He knows that I like to stand flatter than most, and knows the depth that I like to take the ball at.”

In order for England to get quick ball, Goode believes that his pal at scrum-half needs to be protected by the forwards. In particular, Wales’ openside flanker, Martyn Williams needs to be stopped.

“We need to target Williams, because he will be trying to get over and slow the ball down. He is a very intelligent player. He gets in and around the breakdown and he does slow up a lot of ball. We need to target their backrow and give Harry a good platform to play from and get some good, quick ball away.

“If Harry is digging in the ruck because we are not clearing out as well as we can, then it makes everything that much harder. But it was good to play with Harry last week, and hopefully we can do even better at Cardiff this week.”

Labels: Andy Goode, England, Harry Ellis, Martin Johnson, RBS 6 Nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:11 pm | Permalink | Comments

DALLGLIO: ENGLAND NEED TO GET FIT AND ON-PLAN BLOODY QUICKLY

It may have been over a year since Lawrence Dallaglio hung up his boots for England, but the former captain still feels as though he needs to harangue the current Red Rose team after a stream of dismal displays, and shake them from their torpor. Their collective fitness and mindset need to change, and fast, as they are hosted by Wales – the nation Dallaglio and his team-mates used to ridicule – this Saturday.

The 36-year-old, who won his 85th and last cap for England in the World Cup Final on October 20, 2007, believes that while the 36-11 RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy last weekend was a poor performance, the victory will have been a fillip for the dressing room, who – after three “spankings” in the autumn – will have been glad to remember what winning tastes like.

“There are two emotions in rugby,” explains Dallaglio. “There is ecstasy of victory or agony of defeat; the joy and pain. So far it has just been pain, pain, pain for England. After the Italy match they will have been down about their performance in the changing room – as they should be – but ultimately they still won.

“I have been involved in losing England teams, so I know how they would have been feeling after the autumn. But you would have thought that they would have been bottling that feeling up and there would have been an explosion of emotion against Italy on Saturday. There was nothing like that and there was nothing England showed that Wales will be overly worried about.”

Against reigning grand slam champions Wales, Dallaglio suggests that England need to change their mindset, and banish their insecurities – in essence they need to front up. Gone are the days when the super-fit England players would sneer at their over-weight opponents from over the Severn Bridge – now it is the complete opposite, and it is the Welsh who are drinking less of the Brains bitter and adding more brawn and fitness.

“We always used to look at the Welsh team and take the piss, really,” says World Cup winner Dallaglio, speaking on behalf of Greene King IPA, the Official Beer of England Rugby. “We would tell them how unfit we all thought they were, and wonder how they could even come to Twickenham and even think about beating us if they couldn’t run for 40 minutes. It’s sad for me to say, but I think it is the other way around now.

“That is the main thing that concerns me – England’s level of fitness. Really, when you are the best player in your position in the world – which is what all the England guys should be trying to do – you have to be one of the fittest players in the world, too.

“Guys like Jonny Wilkinson and Neil Back drove our fitness and made me even question myself on a number of occasions. I want to know who is doing the finger-pointing within the England dressing room now.

“If you want to aspire to be the best player in the world in your position, you have got to do more on the odd sprint session. You have to get there by hard work. I would let the fitness coaches have them for the next six months and put them through some really hard work, as I don’t think it is being done at their clubs; not to the level it needs to be.

“The standards were set in 2003, and five, six years later we should have moved on – not gone backwards. There has been no evolution. When I was playing I used to get up at 6am and meet Will Greenwood and Jason Leonard and the fitness coach Dave Reddin and do an hour-and-a-half training session even before we went to the club. Of course there is an extra sacrifice involved in that, but what are you trying to do? Are you trying to be the best in the world, or just the best in your club?”

On Saturday’s hosts at the Millennium Stadium Dallaglio adds: “Wales have made huge strides in the last 12 months with their fitness, and we have the staff to do it, but there has to be a mindset change with the players. Let us not forget that it is, more or less, the same Wales team that are performing so well now who got dumped out of the World Cup by Fiji. All Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards have done is opened their minds a little bit. That is something that needs to take place with England very, very quickly.

“Each player has to set his sights on being the best player in the world in their particular position – we are nowhere near that. At the moment if you were to pick the top four or five players in every position then I don’t think man England players would feature. The trouble is, in their own minds I think they think that. You just want someone to grab that team forward by the scruff of the neck.

“If you are Martin Johnson you would be pointing your fingers at some of the guys and telling them that international rugby is not for the mentally weak, that you don’t get a second chance, and that some of you owe me, and the rest of the country a special performance. Martin has done very well to keep his temper in front of the media – because I would have been going mental by now at some of the performances I have seen from the players.

“Against Scotland last week Wales showed they had a pattern and understood the way they were trying to play. When England have the ball they don’t, at the moment, look like a team who know exactly what they are trying to do. Martin said that people had gone off-plan after the game; well I suggest that people get back on-plan, and bloody quickly.”

Labels: England, Italy, Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson, RBS 6 Nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:09 pm | Permalink | Comments

JOHNSON ON STEVENS

Matt Stevens's positive drugs test is a big blow to England’s Six Nations campaign, admitted manager Martin Johnson. The Bath prop was been dropped from the squad after it was found that he had been taking a recreational drug, thought to be cocaine, and is likely to be disciplined with a two-year ban.

“It is a very sad situation,” said Johnson of the 26-year-old’s predicament on Wednesday morning. “When I heard I felt surprised, disappointed and let down. We don’t want guys taking drugs – it is not good for them and it is not good for the sport.

“We hope Matt sorts himself out, but he won’t be playing for us for a fair old while. It is a blow to us, to him as a player and as a person. But we have to deal with that as a team.”

England last won the Six Nations six years ago – the same year that Johnson lifted the World Cup. And the former Leicester Tigers lock knows that after the disappointment of the autumn internationals, a big win at Twickenham against Italian next Saturday is imperative if they are to succeed this year.

“It has been too long since England won the Six Nations,” said the 38-year-old. “The Welsh are champions and the French are always strong, so it is going to be tight. We have to start the tournament well. Off the back of three losses we need some confidence and momentum.

“We have to improve from the autumn, and learn the lessons. We had new, young players playing the best teams in the world. So they have more experience now.

“We gave away points too easily and we didn’t take our chances. But we are now a more experienced squad that we were four or five months ago.”

Labels: England, Martin Johnson, Matt Stevens, RBS 6 Nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:41 pm | Permalink | Comments

MALLETT JEALOUS OF ENGLAND’S RICHES

Martin Johnson's dilemma of who to play at fly-half – either Toby Flood or Danny Cipriani – for England, is a problem that Italy coach Nick Mallett would love to have. The Azzurri take on Johnson’s side next Saturday at Twickenham in their Six Nations opener, and the South African admits that he is jealous of the half-back talent at Johnson’s disposal.

"As usual we have a very good tight five and a good pack of forwards, but the perennial problem is settling on a good half-back combination,” the 52-year-old, who is considering playing veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco at scrum-half.

“It's fantastic for Johnson to have two players of Flood and Cipriani’s quality. Flood is very good defensively, has a good kicking game, very courageous, while Cipriani has flashes of brilliance which on a good day gets all the headlines and when there's a charged-down kick gets all the headlines as well.”

Captain Sergio Parisse hinted that Johnson’s team will have to be inventing in attack, and not squander as many openings as they did in the autumn series, if they are to defeat Italy.

“We want to try and beat England with our defence so we are working hard and hoping we can win our first match,” the Stade Francais No8, who led Italy to only one Six Nations victory last year, said.

“England’s players will really want to win this first match. They have some problems because they lost some Tests in November, so it’s been difficult for them.”

Labels: England, Italy, Martin Johnson, Nick Mallett, RBS 6 Nations

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:37 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

JACKSON FOR ENGLAND – JONES

Martin Johnson should name Glen Jackson, the Saracens fly-half, in his England squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday. That’s the view of Jackson’s head coach, Eddie Jones, who witnessed his New Zealand-born No10 kick 15 points in his side’s 37-13 Guinness Premiership bonus-point triumph over bottom-club Bristol.

Australian Jones believes that the 33-year-old, who became the first man this season to reach 150 points yesterday (SUN), would act as the perfect mentor for tyros Danny Cipriani and Toby Flood.

“England should really consider having him in the squad,” the former Wallabies coach said. “His goalkicking was good, and his out-of-hand kicking is just wonderful.

“If they are going to have (Danny) Cipriani and (Toby) Flood as their major stand-offs maybe they should have someone like Jackson, who understands the game exceedingly well, in the squad to teach these younger guys how to play because I think they need a mentor.”

Italian prop Matias Aguero and centre Brad Barritt scored for Saracens to take the score to 23-7 at the interval. Ben Skirving and England captain Steve Borthwich ensured the result with second-half scores.

Jones praised lock and club captain Borthwick, who signed from Bath in the summer, adding: “He's been good for us from the first day he walked in the door and we're a much better side when he's playing.

“He gives us the lineout leadership, he's tough around the ruck and he scored the try. He doesn't even score tries in training so he's pretty chuffed about that one.”

The victory meant that Saracens leap-frogged Harlequins in to sixth, though their London rivals’ game with Worcester Warriors at the Stoop was postponed due to the frozen pitch. Similarly, Wasps’ match at Bath’s Memorial Ground was called off.

Labels: Bristol Rugby, Eddie Jones, England, Glen Jackson, London Wasps, Martin Johnson, Saracens, Six Nations, Steve Borthwick

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:06 am | Permalink | Comments

WILLIAMS: DON'T WRITE OFF ENGLAND

Wales wing wizard Shane Williams has refused to write off England’s chances in the Six Nations – despite the fact that Martin Johnson’s team have suffered three heavy defeats in the last month.

The International Rugby Board’s recently-crowned player of the year believes that Johnson’s new-look England will soon be up to speed and ready to challenge Wales for their Six Nations crown in the spring.

“There are many new faces but these things take time,” the Ospreys flyer said of England, who were downed by Australia 28-14, South Africa 42-6 and New Zealand 32-6.

“They are a good side, they will win matches and they will soon be much better.”

Williams, 31, believes that this Six Nations will be much more open than last season’s, when victory over Brian Ashton’s England catapulted Wales to glory, and that his side’s recent win over Australia is insignificant.

“Last year was very different – a good second half performance against England gave us the kick up the backside we needed,” he continued. “It gave us the motivation to go through the rest of the Six Nations.

“And we played some good, confident and stylish rugby. But we will have to do more of the same this year if we are to win again.

“Any of the teams are capable of winning the Six Nations and it is not going to be as easy as it was last year.”

Williams came off the bench on Wednesday at Wembley for the Barbarians, who lost 18-11 to Australia, and believes that the gulf between Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams is not as big as many believe.

He added: “We are closing that gap. As Wales showed against Australia, if you do play well against these teams you can win. But I don’t think us beating the Wallabies will bear any reflection on what is going to happen in the Six Nations.”

Labels: England, Martin Johnson, Shaun WIlliams, Wales

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MAPLETOFT STRIVING FOR FUTURE ENGLAND GLORY

Doom-mongers may insist the dye is already cast for Martin Johnson’s new-look England following heavy defeats to the three Southern Hemisphere super powers, but Mark Mapletoft, the former Gloucester fly-half and now England Under-20 head coach, believes that it is only a matter of time before the senior team ripen and conquer – and he should know.

The 36-year-old, who would have earned more than the solitary cap gained against Argentina in 1997 for England had it not been for injury, assisted Nigel Redman’s near all-conquering U-20s last season and has taken on the top job this campaign, with former Bath and England lock Martin Haag acting as his deputy.

It is their job to nurture and develop the Danny Ciprianis and Tom Reeses of the future. And, after last season’s U-20s won nine out of their 10 games – a run that saw them crowned grand slam Six Nations victors and reach England’s first ever world age group final in the World Junior Championship, swatting aside the Boks and the Wallabies on the way – there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the future of English rugby.

“I know I have some big shoes to fill and I learned a lot from working with Nigel over the last two years – he was a fantastic mentor to me,” Mapletoft says of Redman, the newly-appointed Rugby Football Union’s Elite Coach Development Manager.

“We are just about to take the 32 U-20 Elite Squad players to a camp in the Algarve for a week. When we did it for the first time last year, we found it immensely helpful. The climate is good and we will be outside pretty much all day. You just can’t get that over in England at this time of the year!”

There will be another training camp in England after Christmas, before their Six Nations defence begins at home, which this season is Worcester’s Sixways, on February 6 against Italy. Then in June the U-20s will fly out to Tokyo, Japan, to try and improve on last year’s Junior World Championship in Wales, when they were defeated 38-3 by the All Blacks in the final. “I’ve never been to Japan in my life, never mind played rugby there,” grins Mapletoft,” so I am really looking forward to the World Cup. It should be a very interesting and exciting season.

“As coaches of the U-20s we are developing England players of the future, playing a certain type of game and providing important experience, because ultimately that is what we are about.

“In attack we try to be a very dynamic ball-handling side, playing off the floor, looking for the offloads and to score tries. We allay that with a very aggressive defence who try to stop other teams play and to get the ball back so we can attack more!”

When asked whether the greatest satisfaction is unearthing England’s next generation of wunderkinds, Mapletoft is modest, and says: “For me there is no ego – I’m not saying: ‘I’ve played a massive part in Danny Care or Danny Cipriani’s development.’

“It is more about adding something to their development as players. The best players will always come through, with or without the National Academy. We aspire to improve those players, to help create that little bit of difference between being a great player and a world-class player.

“The Under-20 programme provides that competition aspect to their development and hopefully the players enjoy playing for England and it gives them an idea of what competing against the Southern Hemisphere sides is all about. We are breaking down these barriers.”

Mapletoft praises Johnson’s perseverance with England’s seniors and has called for patience, noting that the New Zealand side they lost to in the autumn series finale had on average 25 more caps per player (44 to England’s 19). The success at age group level will eventually work its way upwards, he suggests, adding: “Time is the answer.

“We are only just starting to see players like Toby [Flood], Delon [Armitage] and Tom Croft come through. Pretty much all of the backs from last year’s U-20s have progressed into their Premierships sides so hopefully they will begin to make their name within a season or two and then they will get the opportunity to force their way into Martin’s plans.

“They will take with them the experience of beating the Southern Hemisphere sides and not be overawed to compete with these guys on a regular basis when they play against them for the senior team.”

PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

Rory Clegg, Newcastle Falcons, 18, fly-half

Born in Germany, the tall (6’ 3”) No10 has been impressing in the Guinness Premiership in the absence of Jonny Wilkinson.

MM: “He has been playing week in, week out at Newcastle Falcons and he has been doing well although the results have not been kind to them. He played an integral part in the Under-18 team last year.”

Calum Clark, Leeds Carnegie, 19, backrow

Darlington-born Clark impressed last season in the Guinness Premiership as Leeds were relegated. Was a team-mate at school, Barnards Castle, with Clegg.

MM: “He had the double disappointment of going down with Leeds and losing in the final of the World Cup against New Zealand. I am looking to see how he bounces back from that disappointment and taking on a big leadership role in the side this year.”

Carl Fearns, Sale Sharks, 19, No8

The former Sedbergh schoolboy (Will Carling’s alma mater) captained England U-18s in the 2007 tour to Australia.

MM: “I’m looking forward to seeing how Carl plays. He has been playing for Sale while the autumn internationals have been going on. We will be expecting a lot of him in the future.”

Labels: England, England Under-20s, Mark Mapletoft, Martin Johnson, rugby, Rugby Football Union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:12 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

ALL BLACKS SEAL WHITEWASH WITH WIN OVER ENGLAND

The All Blacks became the first team to win a grand slam of the home nations without conceding a try, and the Hillary Shield, after their 32-6 win over England at a full-house Twickenham. Martin Johnson’s team, who were humbled 42-6 – a record at home – by South Africa last week, had wanted, in the words of James Haskell, to “regain some respect”. And they did, holding the tourists to 12-6 with only 20 minutes remaining, despite having lost three men to the sin-bin in that time.

Then, alas for Johnson, the proverbial floodgates opened, with full-back Mils Muliaina crossing twice and centre Ma’a Nonu, named man-of-the-match, capping the win with a 60 yard dash and score. And this on a day when New Zealand’s star fly-half, Dan Carter, scored only 17 points, having misfired five kicks at goal. It was the visitors, however, who were handed the new Sir Edmund Hillary Shield, with Johnson left to lick his wounds – after four games as manager of England, his record stands at won one, lost three.

As they did in the 28-14 defeat to Australia a fortnight ago, England conceded a raft of penalties to the All Blacks in the first half. Carter, the world’s best No10, needed no second invitation to punish Johnson’s team for their ‘indiscretions’, as referee Alain Rolland called them. Coupled with the 11 penalties handed to the tourists before the break, hooker Lee Mears and blind-side flanker Haskell were sin-binned by the Irish official for peccadilloes at the breakdown.

In the week England captain Steve Borthwick had urged his team to shake off their naivety and “get more streetwise” against the All Blacks, who are masters of rugby’s dark arts. They put theory in to practice, but were over-keen for Rolland’s liking in the tackle area, and aside from the penalties conceded England lost many attacking positions.

Scrum-half Danny Care could have been ejected after Mears’s yellow card on 23 minutes. And when Haskell was shown the same card 10 minutes later, Rolland warned Borthwick, the Saracens’ lock, “if I have to put another four players in the bin, I will. This has to be the end of your indiscretions”. It was for the half, but Carter had been kind and missed two of the six shots he took at the posts to take the score to 12-3 at the break.

Toby Flood, the Leicester Tigers’ fly-half preferred to Wasps’ misfiring No10 Danny Cipriani, kicked a penalty in reply, and was feeling his way into the game when, just a minute into the second half, was dismissed for a high tackle on New Zealand No9 Jimmy Cowans. This, again, undid impressive England work. No8 Nick Easter had rampaged forward and the hosts were camped in front of the All Black try line, but another rush of blood to the head and England were down to 13 men once again.

It was to Johnson’s team’s credit, and a show of their bristling character, that they did not concede another point until 23-year-old Flood had returned to the action. In fact Delon Armitage had pulled the score back to 12-6 with a penalty kick just inside the New Zealand half while Carter had inexplicably missed another attempt at the sticks.

The All Blacks, who in September won their sixth Tri-Nations title in the last seven years, looked like a team who had played 15 Tests this year. They were sluggish but effective when they needed to be, soaking up England’s pressure. Rarely did they sparkle, or rather have chance to. It took until the hour mark when they had their first sniff at the England whitewash. They managed to turn an England scrum and Cowan’s out-of-the-back pass was shipped through the hands of Nonu and winger Joe Rokocoko before finding Muliaina on the loop. The Waikato man crossed for his 23rd try for his country and put an end to England’s valiant hopes for registering an unlikely win.

Muliaina went over again as a tired England struggled to now cope with New Zealand’s backline, which was starting to fire. Nonu’s line break and converted score, with nine minutes left were the last points of the game. It could have been closer, but with four players yellow carded – substitute flanker Tom Rees was ejected in the second half – England were always going to struggle against the unofficial world champions, who won their third grand slam in as many years. Johnson has much to ponder before the Six Nations begin next spring.

England
Tries: None
Conversions: None
Penalties: Flood 1 (2), Armitage 1 (1)

New Zealand
Tries: Muliaina (2), Nonu
Conversion: Carter 1 (3)
Penalties: Carter 5 (8)

England: D Armitage; P Sackey, J Noon, R Flutey; U Monye; T Flood, D Care; T Payne, L Mears, P Vickery, S Borthwick (capt), N Kennedy, J Haskell, M Lipman, N Easter.
Replacements: D Hartley, M Stevens, T Croft, T Rees, H Ellis, D Cipriani, D Hipkiss.

New Zealand: M Muliaina; J Rokocoko, C Smith, M Nonu, S Sivivatu; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, N Tialata, B Thorn, A Williams, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), R So'oialo.
Replacements: H Elliott, J Afoa, A Boric, K Read, P Weepu, S Donald, I Toeava.

Labels: All Blacks, England, Martin Johnson, Rugby Football Union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 9:24 pm | Permalink | Comments

McCAW WARY OF JOHNSON'S "HURT" ENGLAND

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows that if New Zealand are to capture their third Northern Hemisphere grand slam in as many years, they will have to defeat a wounded and intense England.

Having witnessed Martin Johnson’s determination first hand, McCaw believes that England’s forwards, in particular, will have a point to prove after last Saturday’s 42-6 defeat to South Africa.

“England will be hurting and will want to come out and get it right and show they're a good team,” said the openside flanker, the International Rugby Board’s player of the year in 2006.

“We've been in a similar situation ourselves this year. We were done by the Aussies and it was a horrible week. When you get a chance to put it right, and luckily they have a chance seven days later, that's what you have to do.

“We're expecting them to throw everything into it at Twickenham and will de desperate. We have to match that intensity or else it will be a long day.

“Their forwards are always tough and if they get some ball then the guys at the back have the pace and ability to use it. They are better than they've shown, but their opponents have been pretty good at stopping them playing.”

The 27-year-old views Tom Rees’s demotion as a shock, after the Wasps No7’s impressive display against the Boks. McCaw continued: “I'm a little bit surprised England dropped Tom Rees. He's a damn-good player.

“I'm sure England have their reasons why they dropped him but the guy who has replaced him is raring to go. I don't know too much about [Michael] Lipman but I'm sure he'll fit in pretty well.”

England manager Johnson was captain when, in 2002, the national team last defeated the All Blacks. In Wellington 13-man England slugged out a 15-13 win – and the former lock showed young McCaw what leadership was all about.

“I remember they had two players in the sin bin and Johnson was the one running the camp,” McCaw, whose side have not yet conceded a try on their tour of the Home Nations, said. “You could see watching him play in the World Cup in the final [which England won 20-17] he was in charge, doing the business himself and setting the example.

"The way he played, going out and produced the goods on the pitch, was inspirational. And he didn't seem afraid to drag other guys to come along with him. If they weren't pulling their weight he would make that known. His influence will start to come through for England now, too.

“I feel like a better captain than 12 months ago after the World Cup [where New Zealand were knocked out in the quarter-final]. Experiences make you stronger. A year down the track you learn to listen to your guts instincts. Confidence builds from there. The other key thing is to keep performing myself. That's the first thing you have to do.

“We can be proud of what we've achieved this year.”

Labels: All Blacks, England, Martin Johnson, Richie McCaw

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:18 pm | Permalink | Comments

LIPMAN LEADING FIGHT AGAINST McCAW’S ALL BLACKS

Michael Lipman has waited patiently for a proper chance in Martin Johnson’s back-row – the openside flanker was given the nod over Wasps’ Tom Rees for the final game of the autumn series against New Zealand. But then again, he has had to bide his time for most of his England career. Indeed his run out against the All Blacks will be only his tenth cap since his international bow four years ago, and is his first start for the national side since mid-March.

The Bath captain, who played in four Six Nations matches earlier this year following injuries to Lewis Moody and Rees in the Wales game, is rated by many as the best out-and-out No7 in the Guinness Premiership. He is relishing the prospect of facing All Black skipper Richie McCaw – an opponent Lipman first pitted his wits against almost a decade ago and currently ranked the best exponent of back-row’s darks arts on the planet.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Richie,” he says. “It is definitely a challenge I need to rise to. I have only played against him once before – for the Australia Under-19s team when he was playing for the New Zealand Under-19s. I don’t think I have played against anyone quite like him before.

“He definitely gets away with everything – all the stuff on the ground! But that is who he is - it is a reputation he has built up over the years and he deserves that respect from referees, so we will have to deal with him. But he is not alone – he has 14 other mates behind him causing chaos.”

Following the 28-14 loss to Australia - the country that London-born Lipman moved to aged five and left when he was 21 for Bristol - and the 42-6 drubbing last week to South Africa, the 28-year-old believes that his leadership skills are precisely what Johnson’s young team require.

“It is a very good feeling to get the No7 shirt back - I have been given an opportunity and I’m happy about that; I will take it with both hands,” says Lipman, who also played for Australia Under-21s but found good friend George Smith an immovable object when it came to the full Wallabies team. Brought up in Sydney, Lipman began his career at Manly and joined Bob Dwyer’s Waratahs in New South Wales – though he never played in the Super 12 – before flourishing at The Memorial Stadium and then, after moving in 2003, on the turf of Bath’s Recreational Ground.

“I was very disappointed to not get a run out when we were on tour in New Zealand in the summer,” he continues. “Especially after a fairly successful Six Nations when I played four out of the five games. It has been frustrating not to start in the past three autumn games too, but I am very, very happy to be starting against the All Blacks at Twickenham.”

Many viewed Rees as England’s solitary performer against the Boks, but Lipman insists that he has other pluses to his game that make him better equipped to face the All Blacks. And, whatever happens against New Zealand, he is looking to a brighter future for England’s rugby team – namely success in the All Black’s back yard at the World Cup in 2011.

“Tom and I have a mutual respect and I think he has been playing very well,” Lipman says. “But I think I have different facets to my game compared to Tom. I am good with the ball in my hands, and a good carrier. I am big on my defensive game too.

“I think I bring a bit of leadership to the team. I will be able to help Steve [Borthwick, a former Bath team-mate] out a lot. I have the ability to read situations and work out what is going wrong and how we can make it better; what we need to change. That is something I am very capable of doing. I am going to help Steve as much as I can.

“It is very important for England to get a result in this final match of the autumn series. We have to put English rugby back on the map. We lost a lot of respect after the defeat to the Springboks, because it was a big loss – there’s no getting away from that. It is hard for any team to come back from that.

“But in three years time the World Cup comes around and if this is a massive learning curve that gets us to that World Cup Final and wins us that trophy, then it will be happy days and this will be forgotten.”

Labels: All Blacks, England, Martin Johnson, Michael Lipman, Richie McCaw, Rugby Football Union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:25 am | Permalink | Comments

FLOOD: WOUNDED ENGLAND WILL FIGHT ALL BLACKS

Toby Flood has been handed Danny Cipriani's No10 shirt against New Zealand and is ready to make some headlines of his own. Martin Johnson has given the Leicester Tigers fly-half a chance after Cipriani mis-fired against Australia and South Africa.

The 23-year-old will win his 22nd cap on Saturday at Twickenham and he believes that "wounded" England will raise their game after last week's 42-6 defeat to the Boks. Flood says that England will do everything in their power to stop the All Blacks gaining their second Grand Slam of the Northern Hemisphere in three years.

"It is wonderful to be back in the team," he said. "I've been waiting with bated breath to get a chance. Being on the bench is always such a difficult position because it is a halfway house - you are kind of in the team but you know you might only get 20 minutes.

"Having Danny in the team hasn't affected me - I have just been concentrating on my game. We are all in the same squad and when he was given the No10 shirt I congratulated him and he has congratulated me this week."

Flood is confident Johnson's team - which also sees lock Nick Kennedy recalled for Tom Palmer and Michael Lipman in for flanker Tom Rees - will use the pain from last weekend's loss to hurt the Tri-Nations winners.

He added: "The lads are disappointed after England's worst result at home in a long time. But we gave ourselves 24 hours to get over it and, having seen the guys train this week, the response has been fantastic. We have been trying to raise our game to a higher standard every day.

"All the teams in the Tri-Nations are excellent but the All Blacks are the team you really want to beat. They are going for their Grand Slam but I think we are looking forward to that. We happen to be a wounded team who are looking to turn things around."

Labels: All Blacks, Martin Johnson, New Zealand, Toby Flood

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:21 am | Permalink | Comments

MONYE’S RESURRECTION

Ugo Monye's rugby career has undertaken a miraculous resurrection following a full recovery from an injury that rendered him immobile while watching England’s efforts in the World Cup 14 months ago. The Harlequins winger, who earned representative honours for England Under-19s and U-21s, and also starred for England Sevens and the Saxons, vowed while supine, suffering from a bulging disc, to work harder than ever before to break into the full England team. In a remarkable turnaround, Monye will line up for his third international against South Africa alongside good friends Paul Sackey and Delon Armitage at Twickenham.

“I felt like a baby,” admits the 25-year-old paceman, who was only promoted by manager Martin Johnson to the elite squad after the injury to Gloucester’s James Simpson-Daniel, of his week in bed last year. “But I really pushed myself as I wanted to prove that I was good enough to win a full cap.

“It was great to meet up with the squad three weeks ago, and training has been going very well. The Pacific Islanders [a 39-13 win on his debut] was a great game for us and spirits are high, even though we lost against Australia [28-14]. I've thoroughly enjoyed my start with England.”

Islington-born Monye’s sporting life could have taken a very different course almost a decade ago, after he ran the 100 metres in 10.6 seconds aged 16. He whittled that time down to 10.46 seconds and appeared in the English Athletics Association Championship, making it to the national trials where he ran alongside now-Olympians Mark Lewis-Francis and Tyrone Edgar.

But it was UK Athletics sprint coach Tim Richards who helped shape young Monye’s career, when he contacted Harlequins U-19s coach, Colin Osbourne, who offered him an academy contract.

The 6’ 2” flyer had played rugby since the age of 13 and represented Hampshire U-17s and U-20s, after starring for Lord Wandsworth College. In the Hampshire countryside young Monye’s decision was further influenced by two of the school’s alumni a few years above – a certain Jonny Wilkinson and Pete Richards.

After making his Harlequins bow in 2002 and underlining his potential with a brace against Wasps at the end of the season Monye suffered double disappointment with relegation and a string of niggling injuries causing him to be overlooked for the national team.

The strict Christian, a group leader at Holy Trinity Church in Brompton, West London, used the emotional hurt of his disappointments to channel his energies – and his faith and determination has paid off. He is now thriving in Johnson’s new-look England team.

“It's been good fun,” continues Monye, “and Martin has given me his faith. I've played the last two games and I'm selected to play this one [against the Boks]. All I know is that if I keep playing well then I want to make it difficult to lose my spot, though it would be great to score my first international try soon.

“We're a new squad, we've only been together for three weeks and each week we are making improvements. Although we lost to Australia we feel as if we have made another step in our work in progress.

“Our discipline probably was our biggest problem against Australia but there were other reasons why we didn't win that game. Our execution at times was a bit poor – we missed a lot of opportunities, so there are certainly a few things to work on.

“But we're very positive within the camp this week, we're working hard and we know the size of the task we have ahead of us against South Africa and then the All Blacks. More than anything there's huge excitement and a willingness to get back on the pitch to put things right.”

Monye makes up one third of Johnson’s preferred back three. London Irish’s full-back Delon Armitage made his debut alongside Monye against the Pacific Islanders and was named man-of-the-match. On the opposite wing to the Quins player is Wasps Paul Sackey – a relative veteran of international rugby in comparison who will win his 18th cap against South Africa. The three know each other well, and affectionately call themselves the ‘black three’.

“It is fairly apparent and fairly obvious the reasons why we call ourselves the ‘black three’,” adds Monye, “it's all tongue-in-cheek. We're getting on very well.

“Socially we've known each other for five or six years and it helps when you're standing on the pitch. Delon lives down the road from me and I've known Paul for years. We're a new unit as a back three and we play a similar brand of rugby - it's an absolute pleasure to play alongside them.”

Labels: England, Martin Johnson, Rugby Football Union, South Africa, Ugo Monye

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:40 pm | Permalink | Comments

VICKERY: JOHNNO MUST STICK WITH YOUNGSTERS

England manager Martin Johnson should persevere with his new-look team in spite of Saturday’s “unacceptable” 28-14 defeat to Australia, says Phil Vickery. But the recalled former captain has warned his young team-mates they must “smarten up” ahead of Saturday’s Test against world champions South Africa, who defeated Scotland 14-10 at Murrayfield.

Fly-half Matt Giteau’s six penalties – five of which were conceded within kicking-range before the interval thanks to England’s over-eagerness at the breakdown – and Adam Ashley-Cooper's converted try allowed the Wallabies to exact some revenge for their World Cup quarter-final loss in Marseille 13 months ago.

Though No8 Nick Easter barged over for a try and Danny Cipriani slotted three penalties, Johnson’s troops proved to be hot-headed in attack and defence at crucial moments. “We have been beaten by Australia at Twickenham by 14 points and that is unacceptable,” said Wasps prop Vickery.

“We were taught a good lesson by a team who knew how to win a game and we have to regroup and prepare properly because we know that there is not a more physical challenge in world rugby than playing the Springboks.”

Five of Johnson’s seven backs have only 15 caps between them, but Vickery believes that discarding them would be counter-productive for the development of the team. The 32-year-old continued: “I hope that Johnno sticks with those guys because we have got an exciting group and they deserve that faith. Everyone is trying their hardest but we just need to be a bit smarter and make sure we learn from this.

“If we have ambitions to become one of the best teams in world rugby then our guys can’t afford to go into their shells. You have to put yourself out there and in difficult and awkward positions. Unfortunately along the way they are going to get some bumps but they have got to back themselves.”

Labels: Australia, England, Martin Johnson, Phil Vickery, Rugby Football Union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:58 am | Permalink | Comments

AUSTRALIA HAND JOHNSON'S ENGLAND A LESSON IN DISCIPLINE

Martin Johnson tasted defeat for the first time as England manager while old adversaries Australia dished out a lesson on how to play disciplined rugby to his new-look team under the gaze of a 82,000 capacity Twickenham. Australian fly-half Matt Giteau knocked over six penalties and full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a second-half converted try to seal the 28-14 win.

Johnson, the 38-year-old former lock, had lifted the World Cup five years ago in Sydney against the Australians, when England - and Jonny Wilkinson - provided a composed and clinical display. He will have not have been impressed by the young England team's error-strewn display on Saturday.

England’s indiscipline at the breakdown handed the Australians five penalties before the interval, and 26-year-old Giteau took advantage, missing only one. Home captain Steve Borthwick was the culprit twice and other misdemeanours by Tom Rees, Phil Vickery and Paul Sackey cost the home team.

The green and gold No10 took his team to 6-0 up after only five minutes before his opposite number, Daniel Cipriani, had his first attempt on 13 minutes after flanker George Smith had been deemed to bring the ruck down. From half-way the Wasps youngster fluffed his kick on an afternoon he will want to forget. The Australians had targeted the 21-year-old who was making only his third start in an England shirt. Never before had he been tested by a team of this calibre, and the jury will still be out on whether the starlet has what it takes to be the very best in the world.

There were glimpses of his magic, and twice he dashed through the 10 / 12 gap with galloping glee. Cipriani’s first such gallop, after 21 minutes, almost gleaned his side a try. But in the second faze, 10 metres out from the Australian line, No8 Nick Easter would have wished to have had someone quicker than hooker Lee Mears outside him, and could only grimace as the Bath No2 was bundled into touch.

It was full-back Delon Armitage, last weekend’s man-of-the-match in the flattering 39-13 win over the Pacific Islanders, who opened the scoring a minute later with an ugly but effective drop-goal. Giteau then served up two more penalties before England made the most of their vastly superior possession and scored five minutes before the break.

Easter, the Harlequins back-rower, barged over from close range on the right, but Cipriani again missed with the conversion. On the stroke of half-time the England No10 did make amends, slotting a penalty to take the score to a knife-edge 11-12.

Cipriani nudged the home side in front 11 minutes after the break with another penalty but that was to be Johnson’s team’s last points of the afternoon. Giteau stroked over another one four minutes later and the Australians did not look back. The Western Force fly-half, the highest paid player in the Southern Hemisphere, proved his worth again kicking two more penalties, conceded for English indiscipline once more.

With 10 minutes remaining, and the score at 21-14, Australian quick hands outdid a fatigued England defensive line. Ashley-Cooper dived over in the right-hand corner to score his seventh international try. Giteau, of course, added the extra two points with chalk on his boots to take his game tally to 20.

Johnson will have much to chew over, and his side will need to improve their discipline in the coming weeks as they take on the supposedly better Southern Hemisphere teams of South Africa, the world champions, and finally New Zealand.

England
Tries: Easter
Conversions: Cipriani 0 (1)
Penalties: Cipriani 3 (4)

Australia
Tries: Ashley-Cooper
Conversions: Giteau 1 (1)
Penalties: Giteau 6 (7)

England: D Armitage (London Irish); P Sackey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), R Flutey (Wasps), U Monye (Harlequins); D Cipriani (Wasps), D Care (Harlequins); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), L Mears (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), T Palmer (Wasps), T Croft (Leicester), T Rees (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), M Stevens (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), J Haskell (Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester).

Australia: A Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies); P Hynes (Queensland Reds), R Cross (Western Force), S Mortlock (ACT Brumbies, capt), D Mitchell (Western Force); M Giteau (Western Force), L Burgess (NSW Waratahs); B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), S Moore (Queensland Reds), A Baxter (NSW Waratahs), M Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), N Sharpe (Western Force), H McMeniman (Queensland Reds), G Smith (ACT Brumbies), R Brown (Western Force).
Replacements: T Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), M Dunning (NSW Waratahs), D Mumm (NSW Waratahs), W Palu (NSW Waratahs), S Cordingley (Queensland Reds), Q Cooper (Queensland Reds), D Ioane (Queensland Reds).

Labels: Australia, England, Martin Johnson, Rugby Football Union

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:56 pm | Permalink | Comments