Results tagged “Martin Johnson”

For England rugby fans the Six Nations tournament can't arrive soon enough to banish memories of their ill-fated World Cup campaign.

It's a feeling shared by former England hooker Brian Moore, who wants to see progress from the side that disappointed in New Zealand.

England will learn the lessons of their disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign to lift the trophy in 2015.

That's the view of recently retired captain Lewis Moody. He said the experiences the squad had in New Zealand last month - crashing out in the quarter-finals to France - will increase their determination to go all the way on home soil in four years' time.

England might have proved themselves the best in Europe but one of the star players of their successful Six Nations campaign insists they are still a work in progress.

Flanker James Haskell helped England secure their first championship since 2003, but they missed out on the Grand Slam after a 24-8 defeat by Ireland.

The football and cricket world cups turned out to be crashing disappointments for England fans but at least the prospect of the rugby version later this year should give them some cause for optimism.

England won the trophy in 2003 and reached the final in 2007, and former England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall is convinced they can go all the way again in New Zealand.

England's forgotten winger David Strettle believes his switch from Harlequins to Saracens will help rekindle his international ambitions.

Strettle has signed a three year deal with Saracens and he hopes it will help fire him into Martin Johnson's World Cup reckoning.

England rugby star Delon Armitage has a big few weeks coming up for both club and country and he's relishing the prospect.

The London Irish full-back has Heinken Cup games against Llanelli and Leinster this month and then the Six Nations championship starting on February 6.

Rugby legend Dean Richards is backing England to beat Scotland this weekend and Martin Johnson to succeed as national manager.

Richards, now coach of Harlequins, won 48 caps as a formidable number eight thinks Johnson is on the right track, especially after last Sunday's 35-10 demolition of France.

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.�

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.

ENGLAND legend Jason Leonard says Martin Johnson will provide the national team with the leadership needed to reclaim former glories.

At the time of going to press, Johnson was on the verge of being handed the England manager’s job.

And Leonard, who was at ExCeL London in the Royal Docks publicising next month’s Think Regatta, was keen to throw his substantial weight behind his former skipper.

“It’s a role that is perfectly suited to Martin,� said Leonard, who played 114 times for England.

MARTIN JOHNSON is the man to lead the revival of English rugby, according to one of his former international team-mates.

Harlequins star Andy Gomarsall thinks Johnson, who skippered England to World Cup glory in 2003, is perfect to take on a manager’s role – and he could work with current coach Brian Ashton.

“I think he would be fantastic,� he said. “His rugby cv is the best so he would be awesome."