Ryan feels Johnson has the right leadership credentials

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan says that new England team manager Martin Johnson will unite the side.

"I think he brings a lot of goodwill from things he has done previously," Ryan told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Clearly he was a great leader as a player, and that will bring a lot of unity with the people around him.

"That's important because not many can command that - usually there is debate from one side or the other. You don't get that with Martin," added Ryan.

However, Ryan warns that the initial galvanising effect of Johnson's appointment will be under close scrutiny once the matches get underway.

"You've got to get on with playing games. As soon as you do that people start to judge you on them, not on what you were doing two or three years ago. Martin will be aware of that."

He has to surround himself with the right people Dean Ryan

"If he was taking that on it would be a big task for him day to day.

"At international level, a lot of what he did as a captain can be transferred, but he does have increased time and so an increased influence on the players.

"He has to surround himself with the right people - I don't think he will find the international weeks themselves particularly difficult."