Johnson: We want to hit the ground running


By RFU Press Release
September 23 2010

ENGLAND Team Manager Martin Johnson in is upbeat mood as he discusses England's prospects for the season and a thrilling start to the new Aviva Premiership campaign.

Johnson: We want to hit the ground running


ENGLAND Team Manager Martin Johnson in is upbeat mood as he discusses England's prospects for the season and a thrilling start to the new Aviva Premiership campaign.

England face New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and South Africa in the Investec Internationals over four November weekends and want to hit the ground running with less than a year to go before the start of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

"It has been an exciting start to the season," Johnson told rfu.com. "There have been some really good games and the intensity and physicality of Northampton, the only unbeaten side in the league, have been the best. Their execution levels have been good and they can play in a variety of ways.

"Ball-in-play time is higher than last year and more tries are being scored. That is what people want to see rather than the ball stuck in the breakdown for long periods. The new directive for referees in the tackle area has made a difference and it is important it is applied consistently."

Johnson said he would be looking for England to start against New Zealand in the manner they finished last season when they defeated Australia in Sydney. "We need to hit the ground running, not suffer a dip," he said.

"The England players will spend a lot of time together in the next 12 months, starting with the autumn internationals. It is the most competitive squad I have had and the focus will get narrower at the top end. We had a number of guys coming through last year who were not regulars with their clubs, such as Dan Cole and Courtney Lawes, and things can change.

"We want players to put their hands up. We will go into the New Zealand game looking to get momentum through performance. That means playing with intensity, as we did in Sydney. We have a good idea of where we are and you need a team to get consistency on the field by keeping the team together."

Johnson will need better fortune with injuries compared with last autumn when England were depleted in several areas.

Also on this week’s RFU podcast:

  • Talking Ed - The RFU's Head of Elite Referee Development Ed Morrison looks at how rule changes are helping the officials create more space on the field
  • Geech's view - Coaching great Ian McGeechan is impressed with where England are going as they search for more consistency

For the full interviews, check out today's RFU Podcast. Here you can listen to the weekly podcast or subscribe to itunes and have it delivered straight to your inbox each week.

The RFU podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite.

Click here to listen to the RFU Podcast

 

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Johnson: We want to hit the ground running
Discussion started by Unofficial England Rugby Union , 23/09/2010 23:11
Unofficial England Rugby Union
23/09/2010 23:11
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Hardlymyfaultisit
24/09/2010 17:33
Come a long way has MJ IMO. Not the guy I would have opted for after the Robbo and Ashton "nights of the long knives" but he's grown into the role, particularly so his dealings with the media.

No over the top toe curling rants about what we are going to do ................ just a few realistic positives.

Despite what some others think, this England squad has a greater sense of purpose and a more robust mental approach and above all the manner/standard of play has improved immeasurably since 2009.

Course, he's still not everyones cup of tea, some demand instant success ................ but hey!

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