Johnson is hailed as a breath of fresh air

9:38am Thursday 17th April 2008

MARTIN Johnson has been backed to bring a new and fresh approach'' in the high-profile role of England team manager.

English rugby's worst-kept secret finally became public knowledge yesterday after the Rugby Football Union management board confirmed his appointment.

Johnson has agreed a threeand- a-half year deal thought to be worth around £900,000.

The 38-year-old's reign will incorporate the next World Cup in New Zealand.

And Johnson, who led England to 2003 World Cup glory as captain, has been handed full managerial control, including coaching appointments and player selection.

He will officially take up his post on July 1, the day a new pioneering eight-year agreement between the RFU and its Premiership clubs begins.

Johnson will not travel to New Zealand for England's two Tests against the All Blacks in June because his wife, Kay, will be in the latter stages of pregnancy.

RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew, on whose recommendation Johnson has been appointed, is to carry out team manager duties for that trip, plus England's June 1 clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham.

But while existing England coaches John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence) remain in their posts, Brian Ashton's 22-Test reign is over.

Ashton, the head coach who led England to a World Cup final and s e c o n d - place RBS 6 Nations finish, has lost his job in the wake of Johnson's arrival.

Ashton is likely to offer short shrift to the RFU's token gesture of effectively offering him his old job back, that of national academy coach.

But it is wholly consistent with the way Ashton has been treated by the RFU since England's Six Nations campaign concluded.

Their public courting of Johnson must surely have left the sourest of tastes.

Now it is Johnson's turn to deal with Twickenham top brass after the management board gave its unanimous support to Andrew's report and recommendations towards strengthening the England team structure.

Wells and Ford, meanwhile, will join Andrew in New Zealand, with scrummaging expert Graham Rowntree and kicking coach Jon Callard.

Johnson will add another coach in due course - it is likely to be a backs specialist - with his former England team-mate Mike Catt a leading contender.

Johnson said: It is a great honour for me to be offered this position.

I am passionate about the England team and delivering success for it.

While I cannot take up my position until July 1 for personal reasons, I will be working closely with Rob and the England coaching team on selection for the Barbarians match and the New Zealand tour.

This will be as well as selecting the first senior elite player squad of 32 under the new agreement between the RFU and Premier Rugby.'' Andrew added: I am delighted Martin is joining the England structure as team manager.

He will bring a new and fresh approach to team development and preparation in his own inimitable style.'' RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: Martin Johnson's appointment will greatly strengthen the England team management and coaching structure.

Martin has the freedom and the budget to recruit additional coaching resource, and make other changes to the England setup to build a team that will consistently challenge for the major international tournaments.'' Johnson will report directly to Andrew.

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