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Page last updated at 18:05 GMT, Monday, 15 June 2009 19:05 UK

Johnson demands focus on results

Martin Johnson
Martin Johnson has suffered seven defeats in 12 games in charge

England must prioritise results as they work towards the 2011 World Cup, according to manager Martin Johnson.

Matt Banahan, Chris Robshaw, David Wilson, Tom May and Sam Vesty have all made their international debuts over three matches this summer.

But after a 1-1 drawn series against Argentina and May's defeat by the Barbarians, Johnson wants his team to gain wins as well as experience.

"There's no point writing off a Test match to blood some players," he said.

"You want to blood Test players and win. Every game is a development game because we have the chance to get better from it, but we want to win.

"You get a sense whether a guy can handle it"

Martin Johnson

"We wanted to beat Argentina on Saturday. I don't want to look guys in the face and say it doesn't matter if we don't win because we're a development team."

Since taking charge of the side in July 2008, Johnson has overseen a mixed set of results.

South Africa, New Zealand and Australia were all comfortable winners at Twickenham on their autumn tours, but victories over Scotland, France and Italy earned second place in this year's Six Nations Championship.

The emergence of players such as Delon Armitage over the course of the campaign has been a cause for optimism.

The London Irish full-back was not selected for either the first team or Saxons' squads last summer, but after making his debut against the Pacific Islanders in November, the 25-year-old went on to earn a nomination for the Six Nations' Player of the Tournament award.

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His development made it seem likely he would spend his summer with the British Lions in South Africa rather than on England duty, although he just failed to make the Lions' tour party.

Bath winger Banahan has also made an impact with tries in all three of the summer's games and Johnson has been impressed with his conduct off-the-field as well.

"You get a sense whether a guy can handle it. We've all seen players that we've had doubts about but then they fly right from the start," he said.

"You get a sense for a player. Look at Matt Banahan. He's been so composed during the three weeks we've had him.

"He's very sensible in what he wants to do. It's not surprising when he performs well on the field."



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