Johnson wins Dean backing

Martin Johnson's credentials as a potential England manager received

qualified support yesterday from another former Leicester stalwart to

be linked with the post.

Harlequins director of rugby

Dean Richards, the former England

No 8 who has an in-depth

knowledge of the leadership qualities

necessary for this demanding

role, believes Johnson could

be the right man for the job,

despite concerns about his lack

of relevant experience.

"From a rugby point of view, his

understanding of the game is

extremely high, probably second

to none," said Richards. "From a

coaching perspective, I don't

know how much coaching Martin

has done, so there would be have

to be a huge question mark there.

"In terms of managing sides —

managing players and coaches —

there would have to be questions

about whether that is his forte,

too. But his general character is

such that I don't think that

would be too much of an issue.

His personal qualities could

possibly over-ride that lack of

experience."

As reported in Sportsmail yesterday,

the RFU's director of

elite rugby, Rob Andrew, is due

to meet Johnson to ascertain

whether the man who led his

country to World Cup glory in

2003 would be prepared to offer

his services in the quest to

revive the Red Rose side.

He is

regarded as someone with the

presence and standing to make

an impact as manager.

Given his record of domestic

and European success during his

time in charge of the Tigers,

Richards has been regularly

name-checked himself as a candidate

to become the figurehead

of the national team, only to

emphasise his commitment to

finishing his good work across

the road from Twickenham at

The Stoop.

Despite being unsure about

exactly what job description

Andrew has in mind, Richards

claimed that the recruitment of

Johnson could have head coach

Brian Ashton and his assistants,

John Wells and Mike Ford,

looking anxiously over their

shoulders.

Ashton met his boss

yesterday having already made it

clear that he wants the final say

on rugby matters.

Yet, if Johnson is to be coaxed

into the fold, he too would want

that power. Something would

have to give.

"One of the things you would

have to have as manager is total

control, which would then make

Brian and the rest of the coaches

particularly nervous about what

would happen," said Richards.

"In that sort of job you need a

broad understanding of the game

— of exactly how to put a coaching

team together, what to look

for in coaches, what to look for in

support staff, long-term planning,

succession planning.

"All these bits and pieces are

part of it and understanding of

players is obviously taken as a

given."

Switching on the sarcasm,

Richards expressed disbelief that

Ashton's position is seemingly

under threat. "It's been a disastrous

year for England, hasn't it?

Coming second in the World Cup

and second in the Six Nations," he

said.

"They must be kicking themselves!

Ten months ago they were

going through a transitional

period with so many inexperienced

players.

"How ironic that everyone is

now looking closely at Brian

Ashton. I think he is doing a

great job. Just look at the quality

of players coming through.

"There has probably been a certain

amount of discord within the

camp. But when you go through

a transitional period, there will be

a certain amount of discord."

Asked whether he thought

Ashton was the man to lead

England to New Zealand in June,

Richards added: "I don't know.

He should be part of it. Whether

he should be the guy leading it

depends on whether there is a

manager and who he is."