Betfair | Brooding Johno sets the tone for England in autumn tests

Brooding Johno sets the tone for England in autumn tests

Paul Moon welcomes a new philosophy for the England rugby team - one which will reflect the character of their new coach.

A testing autumn awaits England in November with matches against The Pacific Islanders (8 November), Australia (15 November), South Africa (22 November) and the All Blacks (29 November). These clashes against the cream of the Southern Hemisphere will expose any shortcomings within the England elite.

Martin Johnson has promised to bring a philosophy which reflects his huge personality to the England team and I welcome it! Whining, grumbling and moaning are to be banned and negativity banished with the aim of making the players mentally tougher. It will be replaced by a winning mentality.

Tracksuited Johnson is determined to lay down his law, set the parameters on discipline (on and off the pitch), transform current attitudes and devise a new playing strategy. Once these elements are in place he is quite happy to be judged by results.

Under the new eight-year deal between the RFU and the Premiership clubs, England have call on the 32-man elite squad for a fortnight before the autumn series of four Tests and the same again before the Six Nations. Previous regimes had two training sessions prior to a Test.

English rugby drifting aimlessly on a sea of bank notes has made for nauseous viewing post- Clive Woodward. There has been no leadership, identity or discipline and the new consensus recognises that this has to change. Whilst draconian measures are stifling, allowing players to think for themselves is not an option, primarily they must be made aware of their obligations to the team and their individual performance!

Johnson's personal career achievements, visible presence and brooding intensity will set a tone that players will trust and value.

Martin Johnson is a passionate of the National Football League (NFL). Expect some core elements of that programme implemented into the English side immediately.

Approach and philosophies will change, everything will be broken down into small components and challenged. Video analysis of the opposition will become central to pre-match planning. There will be an emphasis on specialist coaching with a revaluation of tackling and hitting.

Johnson also believes that England can learn from the way NFL player's train, as they are phenomenal athletes especially when it comes to conditioning. He was extremely impressed when watching the legendary Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren work and it is a matter of time before he introduces his ideas into the system.

Johnson is calling for a fresh start but admits there is no clean slate. Equal standards will apply to all. Player's have been issued with a 60-page contract where the section on discipline has been beefed up! It will be interesting to see how the first miscreant will be dealt with - my guess is hard!

He will be the fourth England boss in four years and I would advise he disinfect himself from all things contaminated and past. Appointing young Tom Rees as captain would send a positive signal to every young player in England whilst clearing the air before raising standards!

I see his main dilemma as whether he should settle on a way of playing that reflects the strengths of the Premiership or take a direction more akin to the NFL. I am sure I know what he would like to do and await the evidence. However, there is no excuse for failure this time around. There has never been such talent and resources or such a high threshold of ability in English rugby since it went professional. He must deliver!

England currently heads the RBS Six Nations 2009 - Outright Winner market at the moment with Betfair: England [3.4] France [3.6] Wales [3.75] Ireland [6.4] Scotland [30] Italy [95]. The fixture list is in England's favour with a nice introduction against Italy at Twickenham on 7 February 2009. I am compelled to back England with a little saver on France but the autumn internationals will tell us much more. I do not feel any of the other teams can win it this season.

15 October 2008 / About Paul Moon

Tags: Australia, England, Martin Johnson, New Zealand, NFL, Rugby Union Betting, South Africa, Tri-Nations Betting /

Comments (2)

I think Tom Rees could be a great choice for captain but not yet. Comparing International Rugby to the way the NFL is played is pointless...... also the conditioning would need modifying depending on each individuals position. A hooker and a full back need completely different physical set ups to play each position. International Rugby is about basics...... you do the basics well, stifle the opposition of ball and are clinical with your own opportunities.

Good article but Johnson still needs to prove himself as a coach...... not a captain, but a coach. I just hope he is given the time.

Jack Kelleher | 16 October 2008

Jack, I accept your points. The reason why I would like Tom Rees as captain is to disassociate past failures with a clean break. You could be right that it may be a bit early for him but I would still give him the captaincy. Who would you choose?

Comparing International Rugby and the NFL is like comparing chalk and cheese but I guarantee that Johnson will implement some elements of it to the England set-up.

100% agree with your basics point. I spoke to Gavin Henson last season prior to the Ospreys defeat to Saracens in the Heineken Cup. When I asked how confident he was of beating them (I was looking for inside information before betting) he replied that if we can eliminate our basic mistakes we should win.

He talked quite a bit about reducing errors and this was after most of the Ospreys squad had been playing for Wales under Gatland. As you know Wales won the Six Nations because they played the most compact rugby allied to team spirit. Gatland admitted his first job was to deal with ball retention within the Welsh team.

Of course you are right again in regard to Johnson's inexperience but I have a gut feeling he will handle things. At least we will see an end to fudge and tinkering. I have always hated half way house decisions, much rather go for it and be damned.

Initially I thought England's autumn internationals was a bit too much in such a short time but I have changed my mind - I want to see what Johnson does with these matches. It represents a chance to see what he is made of.

I do think the fixture list in the Six Nations is in our favour, the first match at home to Italy will settle nerves while giving us a litmus test of how we are doing.

Thanks for your comment Jack, much appreciated.

Paul | 18 October 2008