Johnson backs England for Six Nations
England boss Martin Johnson believes the squad he has assembled for the Six Nations is his best ever, is blessed with leaders and has every chance of winning the tournament.
The reality is very different. Many of the leaders that Johnson talked about - Borthwick, Cueto, Moody, Shaw and Wilkinson - failed to inspire any real leadership or cohesion for England during the November Tests.
In fact, England's players often looked lost as they took Johnson's unimpressive record as coach to eight defeats in 14 matches.
Johnson claims England have been a team in transition and are beginning to click at their Portuguese training base. But they are potentially the underdogs at home in their opening match against Wales, and they seem to lack the firepower to trouble Grand Slam champions Ireland, not to mention France, and a Scotland side led by Andy Robinson aiming to make a point.
Johnson may have his best squad yet but England's Six Nations' chances are limited.
What do you make of Martin Johnson's England squad and can they really win the Six Nations? Post your comments below.
Jonno ought to bite the bullet and blood new players, give them a chance to settle in and prepare for the world cup. The Aussies have done it so should we. Dylan Hartley for captain, Courtney Walsh at lock in place of Borthwick and Ben Foden at full back, that'll do for a start. JS
Posted by: JS | 02 February 2010 at 09:54
dessie,whats up?not so nice now the boots on the other foot.all through the 90's and early 2000's we had the english ramming their success and our mediocrity down our throats.well i actually think next saturday will be close,i dont give much for your chances.it seems england stick to rigid plans no matter what the situation.in autumn looked ponderous and clueless.everyone going for france,yes strong clubs,but as a national side they are overrated.ireland for me-sadly-then wales and france,but much depends on injuries for wales as we saw in autumn.
Posted by: pete pud | 30 January 2010 at 11:47
You can't really blame Johnno. Just look at the players available. How many current Englishmen would you now called world class. Perhaps Tom Croft but he's out injured while Dylan Hartley perhaps has the potential. The rest of the players just are second rate. It says it all when Steve Borthwick is captain of his country. He never would have even made the bench for the side Johnson captained.
Posted by: Peter | 29 January 2010 at 06:12
the wheels will come off for ireland. for me it's a straight race between france and wales. johnson and his boys ain't even going to feature
Posted by: jonathan p | 28 January 2010 at 17:33
Seriously, what's does Johnson actually know about coaching, no experience, you loose half your games and even wins were pretty lame, look at number of tries scored in his 14 games. Ireland for first time now have real talent at nearly every position, BOD is absolute class, Sexton to be star of the future...
Ireland
France
Wales
Scotland
England
Italy
Posted by: Ala Miami | 28 January 2010 at 17:20
Why hasn't Johnson looked to the future with the likes of Cipriani or Geraghty. They're not the finished article but give them a go and it's not like the old guard are doing all that well now is it? Also, everyone raves about Nick Easter who's a great Premiership player but he looks like a slow oaf internationally.
As for England's chances, they don't look good but I see them beating Italy and Scotland and picking up a surprise scalp, maybe Wales at home.
Posted by: TJ | 28 January 2010 at 16:01
IT PAINS ME TO SAY IT BUT FRANCE WILL WIN IT. THEIR TEAM'S HAVE BEEN IMMENSE IN THE HEINEKEN CUP AND THEIR SQUADS ARE MASSIVE SO THE PLAYERS SHOULD BE PRETTY FRESH. MY PREDICTION WOULD BE
1 FRANCE
2 WALES
3 IRELAND
4 ENGLAND
5 SCOTLAND
6 ITALY
Posted by: IAIN | 28 January 2010 at 12:57
i love that england are being written off as nobodies in the rugby world. johnson said it would take time and it has but ive gt a good feeling about this year. england have too many good coaches and players to be rubbish for much longer. wud luv england to make a mockery of everyone else and win the tournament. would shut the likes of taff up.
Posted by: dessie | 28 January 2010 at 11:37
Six leaders? I can't name a single one. England have looked lost for so long and it's actually becoming scary. If they don't get their act together in the 6N then we can wave goodbye to doing anything at the World Cup. It's not long before we become the laughing stock of rugby like we used to be years ago.
Posted by: Tom Galloway | 28 January 2010 at 10:40
Might be his best squad but still not got a hope in hell. Wales all the way baby!!!!!
Posted by: Taff | 28 January 2010 at 10:05