This is all a bit, well Welsh. As Macsen said earlier, I wouldn't have been surprised if the WRU did something like this, but this just comes across a bit crazy.
I don't despute Johnson's acheivments and leadership as a player, but being a coach is completely different, especially being a national coach. Gareth Jenkins demonstrated how wrong you can get it, even though he was Wales' most successful regional coach. Johnson could turn out to be an excellent coach, but to be expected to supply that instantly, thats a different matter. Why not start at premiership level to get the hang of things, why did the RFU need him so badly, especially with the likes of Jake White standing around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for a call.
Madness, all madness I say. Wouldn't be atall surprised to see it all blow up in their faces.[/b]