Results tagged “England”

FORMER England scrum-half Kyran Bracken believes Martin Johnson couldn’t have been handed a harder start to his time as England manager – a trip to New Zealand.

Johnson announced his squad on Tuesday to face an All Black side still smarting from their shock exit from last year’s World Cup. Bracken, who made his debut against them in 1993, thinks it’s a big ask for an inexperienced England team.

“It’s the toughest place to go on the planet,” he said. “What a place to start. There’s some new blood going out there and he [Johnson] must be nervous having to pick his squad, with a few injuries and big games coming up. But he’s a tremendous leader and I’m confident he’ll make a success of it.”

WEST HAM’S Premier League campaign closed with an entertaining 2-2 draw last Sunday but already the rumours surrounding the squad have started.

Alan Curbishley’s men sealed 10th spot with Sunday’s point against Aston Villa, thanks to a superb 88th minute strike from Dean Ashton.

But the 24-year-old’s future at the club is in doubt. He wants to stay but talks about extending his contract, which has two years to run, have yet to happen.

An England recall for the games with the USA and Trinidad and Tobago won’t harm his bargaining position and team-mate Robert Green thinks Ashton deserves a long-overdue first cap.

RORY UNDERWOOD is backing Martin Johnson to do the business as England team manager, but thinks people need to give him time.

Underwood, who won 85 caps between 1984 and 1996, believes Johnson, England’s world cup winning captain, has all the attributes for the job he inherited from Brian Ashton.

He said: “Martin’s got great personal qualities. He’ll bring clearer leadership and direction to the team. He’s not at the same coaching level as Brian Ashton but he has nous to pass on.

DEAN Richards is the man to rebuild England’s rugby reputation.

So says ex-skipper Will Carling following a disappointing performance by Brian Ashton’s side in the Six Nations championship.

England won their final match against Ireland at the weekend to finish second in the results table, but Carling still believes the country needs to be led by someone else – and he knows just the man.