|
 |
 | | | You are in: Rugby Union: International |
|
| | Friday, 13 September, 2002, 00:38 GMT 01:38 UK Woodward backs captain Johnson  Johnson (centre) has had a summer off from playing England boss Clive Woodward has insisted Martin Johnson will captain the side - provided he reclaims his Test place. Johnson, capped 67 times by England, missed most of last season's internationals due to a combination of injury, suspension and the need for a summer break. With a fearsome fixture list against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in November, Woodward knows he needs the two-time Lions skipper back to his best. And if Johnson's domestic form for Leicester convinces Woodward, the Tigers' lock has been assured the job is his.
"Martin has had a rest, and from the reports I've received, he is back to his best," Woodward told Sky Sports' The Rugby Club. "I personally believe that he will be right back to his best - if he's not now - in time for New Zealand. "And if he is in the team, he will be captain, it is as simple as that. "He knows that he has got to get in the side, but I believe he will get right back there." Johnson ceded the captaincy to fellow Lions Matt Dawson, Neil Back and Phil Vickery last season. Johnson missed three Tests last autumn with injury and sat out the Six Nations match with Wales after being banned for punching Saracens hooker Robbie Russell. Summer's rest He only returned as a substitute in the second half against Italy and opted not to tour Argentina with England in the summer. Woodward said: "You have got to pick what you see, and I wasn't messing about with him when I didn't pick him against Italy, because I didn't think he was at his best." Johnson's various lay-offs have opened the door for Leicester team-mate Ben Kay, and Lions second-row partner Danny Grewcock, the Bath captain. But the 32-year-old Johnson knows it is imperative to get back into the side if he is to captain England at the World Cup in Australia next October. England meet New Zealand at Twickenham on 9 November. | | See also:  11 Sep 02 | Rugby Union 03 Sep 02 | English 03 Sep 02 | Jonny Wilkinson 29 Aug 02 | English Top International stories now: Links to more International stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|  | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
|  E-mail this story to a friend |
| |
| Links to more International stories |
| | | ||
 | ||||
 | | Back to top
| ||
| ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> | BBC Weather >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIII | News Sources | Privacy |
