Johnson wants to protect younger players from the rigours of test rugby

England team manager Martin Johnson has defended his selection policy while hitting back at critics for what they believe is a conservative strategy.

Johnson, the 2003 World Cup-winning captain, responded by suggesting that introducing young talent too early would be counterproductive.

He said: "I'm a practical guy and when you're playing Test rugby, people have that idea that you need the mavericks.

"If you put guys in there that aren't ready, they're going to get spat out."

An injury-hit England team avoided the kind of heavy defeats dealt by the southern hemisphere nations a year ago.

Some supporters wanted backrower Courtney Lawes drafted in following an 18-9 loss to Australia on 9 November, but Johnson resisted the temptation.

Consequently he suggested that the nature of the 16-9 win over Argentina that followed vindicated his decision.

BRYN PALMER'S BLOG When a 13-point deficit, and an eighth consecutive defeat, by the All Blacks is cause for some kind of cheer, surely it only highlights how far English rugby's stock has fallen

"People clamoured for Courtney to play but he stayed on the bench for the Argentina game and we ended up scrapping on our line," Johnson argued.

"Was that the right call to have two bigger more experienced guys out there? Yeah, I think it probably was."

England will be touring Australia for two tests next year, and are hoping to play three midweek matches before each of the tests in Sydney and Perth, with the other in New Zealand.

Johnson wants to use these occasions to take a larger squad so he can give experience to more players without the pressure of a full Test match.

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