It is being widely reported that England captain Martin Johnson is expected to confirm next week that he is to retire from Test rugby.
England captain Martin Johnson is expected
to
confirm next week that he is to retire from Test rugby,
England coach Clive Woodward has told his players they must commit
to the
three-Test tour of Australia and New Zealand in June if they want to
play in
this season’s Six Nations and the 33-year-old Johnson is reportedly
unwilling
to make that commitment.
Johnson is to discuss his decision with Woodward this week.
England open their defence of the championship against Italy in
Rome on Feb
15.
He has captained England 39 times during his 84 Tests, and played
in the
Five Nations Grand Slam in 1995 and Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003.
He made his debut for England with a win against France at
Twickenham in
1993.
He also led the British and Irish Lions twice, winning the South
African
series in 1997 but losing in Australia in 2001.
Woodward was reported to have drawn up a shortlist to replace
Johnson as
captain that does not include fly-half star Jonny Wilkinson.
They are former skipper and No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio, scrum-half
Matt
Dawson, blindside flanker Richard Hill and prop Phil Vickery.
Dallaglio, who was Johnson’s predecessor as England captain,
admitted he
would love to regain his position if Johnson retires.
Dallaglio held the post until drug revelations, which he denied,
forced him
to step down in 1999.
“I’m fairly realistic and philosophical about it,” he said, “Form is going to be the most decisive factor in any decision
and I am playing
well.”
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