Coach Martin Johnson hails his 'best' England squad

[Bullitt]

England coach Martin Johnson has described his Six Nations squad as the best he has had during his tenure.

England produced a series of uninspired November Test displays against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

But Johnson, who has only six wins from 14 Tests since taking charge in April 2008, is optimistic ahead of his side's opener against Wales on 6 February.

"This is the best squad we have had in my time being in charge," said the 2003 World Cup winner.

"We have a good leadership group and it's the strength of any side that you have three, four or five guys who could be captain."

Johnson initially named his squad without a captain but has since decided on Saracens lock Steve Borthwick, despite criticism of the player's performances.

And Johnson's comments at the official launch of this year's Six Nations further indicate that he may be prepared to change his skipper during the tournament.

"With guys like Jonny Wilkinson, Lewis Moody, Nick Easter and Simon Shaw we are starting to have a core group of leaders," he said.

Johnson has key players Delon Armitage, Riki Flutey and Toby Flood back from injuries for the Twickenham match against the Welsh.

And he is further boosted by the addition of promising youngsters Courtney Lawes, Dan Cole, Matt Mullan and Ben Foden into the squad.

"We are starting to add a bit of depth to our group, more than ever before. There is competition throughout and that is what you need," Johnson added.

Meanwhile, Johnson dismissed suggestions that English clubs' struggles in Europe this season bode badly for his team's chances in the Six Nations.

Northampton are the only Guinness Premiership club to have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup.

However, the former Leicester captain insisted: "In an ideal world we'd have three or four teams there [in the quarter-finals] because it is good for the players, but we haven't.

"Some guys have come into camp disappointed from the weekend but they get into England mode very quickly and they are happy to be back together as a group.

"Last year the French clubs didn't have a particularly good time of it in Europe but the Six Nations games were very close. This year they will be very close.

"Anyone who predicts who will win the ***le is a brave guy."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_unio...ish/8483156.stm

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Apart it's the same bloody squad he's always had.

 

[gingergenius]

Well it shall be decided by results Martin. You're putting more pressure on yourself here.

I don't quite see why Cole and Mullan are mentioned as indicators of the squad's strength when they weren't in the original selection a fortnight ago.

Also... leadership. Now, leadership could forseeably be a plus. Shaw and Moody have been around forever and should command a lot of respect - Moody for his sheer fitness levels and commitment apart from anything else. Borthwick will obviously contribute, although he's not a natural leader like Johnson or Dallaglio were. And Nick Easter has been there and done it, so he should be a help. In the backs Flutey and Cueto should be the old heads to guide the younger guys through... and if the pack is on top then there will be the Jonny factor (because he will definitely get picked).

It's not quite like having O'Connell, Wallace, Heaslip and O'Driscoll... but it could be a start.

On paper, Johnson has a potentially strong squad, and with some good performances strung together, they could be very successful. But that, for the country with the world's largest player pool, should never be a problem. It is the coach's job to gel good players together and get them to play good rugby. And since Sir Clive departed, we've not lacked for good players - we have lacked for good strategies.