England For A Second Slam ?

Before a ball has been kicked, Matt Dawson is already predicting that England, even without the charismatic Martin Johnson, can make it two Grand Slams in a row.

Matt Dawson is confident England can make
it two Six
Nations Grand Slams in a row even without World Cup-winning skipper
Martin
Johnson.

Johnson, 33, announced his retirement from international rugby on
Saturday
but Dawson believes the strength in depth in coach Clive Woodwards
squad means
they can overcame the loss.

“No one is going to fill Martins boots,” said the
scrum-half.
“But we have become more resilient in the past couple of
seasons and can
perform just as well without two or three major players because we
have such
strength in depth.

“Whether its Jonny Wilkinson, Lawrence Dallaglio or Phil
Vickery absent –
we can cover and cover well.

“A lot will be made of players retiring in the next season or
so – but that
will only help bring through the next generation and a new squad will
take
shape for the World Cup in France.”

But he admitted the opposition would be itching to beat the world
champions.

“We have a great chance but the other sides will be up for it
even more
after what we achieved in Australia. Everyone wants to be first to beat the World Champions.” he said.

Johnson led England to the Grand Slam last year but was missing
when they
crashed against Ireland in 2001 and Scotland in 2000.

Will Carling’s England team was the last side to win successive
Grand Slams,
in 1991 and 1992.

Dawson is one of the names in the frame to take over as captain
when
England kick-off this years Six Nations campaign against Italy in
Rome on
February 15th.

But Woodward has to manage a crop of injuries.
Jonny Wilkinson, Richard Hill, Lewis Moody, Julian White, Mike
Tindall,
Iain Balshaw, Mike Catt and Martin Corry are all currently out.
And Wilkinsons back-up at fly-half Charlie Hodgson is doubtful
after
injuring his left knee again.
Hodgson, 23, missed the World Cup after rupturing ligaments in the
knee
last March.

Wilkinson has played just 53 minutes since the World Cup because
of a
shoulder problem and his comeback could be hampered by a lack of
games.