Rowntree played alongside Johnson for Leicester and England

Martin Johnson has promoted his former Leicester team-mate Graham Rowntree to the senior England coaching set-up as a scrummaging specialist.

The former Tigers and England prop has spent the last year working with the National Academy set-up, but he did travel to last year's World Cup.

"Graham is an excellent coach and his knowledge of scrummaging is first rate," said England coach Johnson.

Rowntree will work with forwards coach John Wells, another ex-Tigers player.

The 37-year-old is the latest addition to a coaching set-up which also includes defence specialist Mike Ford and attack coach Brian Smith.

"The last year at the RFU has been very enjoyable and I've learned a lot," said Rowntree.

"I've gained a lot of experience from working alongside the senior squad and as part of the Academy structure and it has all been invaluable to my development as a coach."

The RFU's elite rugby director Rob Andrew added: "Graham's appointment underlines our objective of providing opportunities for our coaches within our structure."