Johnson ready to rule the world with England

Martin Johnson is ready to take supreme command of England with the long-term objective of recapturing the World Cup by 2015.

The RFU's management board are due to give his proposed appointment their unanimous approval at Twickenham, leaving the 38-year-old former captain to confirm his formal acceptance as the Red Rose's new supremo.

The job specification will make Johnson the single most powerful figure in the British game, with responsibility for picking two distinct England teams ? one of players, the other of coaches.

Scroll down for more

Glory days: Johnson will aim for a repeat of his 2003 success as skipper when he takes overall charge of the England side

Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby responsible for overall strategy, will this morning (Wednesday) recommend Johnson's return at the head of a new structure, a move which will satisfy the clamour from a strident faction within the RFU calling for head coach Brian Ashton to be replaced.

That decision will now almost certainly be Johnson's alone.

The RFU, concerned that Wales had stolen a march on them post-World Cup by hiring Warren Gatland from New Zealand and putting him alongside an Englishman, Shaun Edwards from Wasps, have called for decisive action.

The urgency has meant Andrew interrupting a family holiday in Greece.

The initiative has gathered momentum since they met at Andrew's request six days ago and Johnson realised the magnitude of what he was being offered and that the terms of reference have convinced him that he will be able to do it his way.

In making himself available, Johnson is driven by neither money nor ego but a selfless belief he can make a difference.

After a weekend of deliberation, he will be prepared to take the job which will give him the clout to run England his way as the chief selector free to pick and choose his own coaches.

He would not have been interested in any position which offered him less than what one RFU official called 'a blank piece of paper', a euphemism for picking his own coaching team as opposed to inheriting one chosen by someone else.

Once Andrew is given formal backing by his employers, events ought to move quickly enough for the Johnson deal to be signed by the end of next week.

He is unlikely to be on board in time for the two end-of-season Tests in New Zealand in June because his wife Kay is due to give birth to their second child that month.

The real significance of Johnson's imminent arrival is that the change coincides with the RFU's eight-year agreement with the Premiership clubs taking effect from July 1.

The RFU will pay the clubs £4.64million for the hire of a 32-man senior squad with the guarantee of greater access to their top players.

Johnson, who is on a family holiday, will have no time to lose if he is to be in a position to pick the senior squad for next season, along with 32 more to make up the second-string England Saxons.

He will also have to resolve his position as one of the Premiership' s four-man delegation to the newly-created Professional Game Board, the joint RFU-Premier Rugby body set up under the peace deal.

Johnson is due to attend his first meeting early next month but the clubs will be reluctant to let him go even if by then his new job has been sealed.

Scroll down for more

Red rose revolution

"It's self-evident that Martin is a huge asset and to have him on the Board is a big success in itself," said Mark McCafferty, chief executive of Premier Rugby Ltd.

"He is a unique force and voice in the game and his not being involved would leave a big void. We want to have the best people and Martin fits into that category.

"He has indicated his willingness to get involved again and if the new Board is to fulfil its potential, it is important that it is not viewed on club or country lines.

"We don't see it as a conflict but if it did get to that stage, we would have to talk to Martin and the RFU.

"The Board is not a commercial or a financial body. It is all about getting the best rugby performances out of club and country. We are very clear about what we have to do by ensuring a steady flow of English talent to make the game stronger at all levels."

The 11-man Professional Game Board, to be chaired by RFU chairman Martyn Thomas, includes two World Cup winners in Johnson on the clubs side and Jason Leonard, a suitably matching heavyweight appointed to sit with the four-man RFU delegation.

The final weeks of Lawrence Dallaglio's distinguished career could be disrupted because of a citing charge of allegedly punching former England team-mate Julian White during Wasps' EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat by Leicester.

Dallaglio will appear before an RFU disciplinary tribunal next week hoping his reputation for fair play will help him avoid any suspension.

Wasps have seven regular Premiership matches left this season but striking could mean a ban of up eight weeks.

Chris Jack, Saracens' All Black lock, will miss his club's European Cup tie against the Ospreys at Vicarage Road on Sunday week and the remainder of the season after a hand operation.

Print this article

Read later

Email to a friend

Share this article: