Johnson predicts crop to blossom

Future's Bright: Johnson impressed with youth

Martin Johnson has given a glowing assessment of England's young generation as he prepares to mastermind a long-term assault for World Cup glory.

New England Team Manager Johnson has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract thought to be worth around £900,000.

And it could prove one of the most exciting periods in English rugby history, with talent like Danny Cipriani and Shane Geraghty ready to spearhead a red rose resurgence past 2011.

"It is a very exciting time," former national captain Johnson said.

"There are lots of very young guys playing in the Guinness Premiership with huge degrees of talent, skill and ability. They are playing in a very, very competitive league.

"A lot of countries around the world will envy the games these guys are playing. They are virtually knockout matches, and the guys have to cope with that pressure."

Wasps fly-half prodigy Cipriani underlined his rich ability when he produced an outstanding full Test debut during England's emphatic Six Nations victory over Ireland last month.

"He is a fantastically talented player," Johnson added.

"He is 20-years-old, and he is playing for one of the top clubs in the Premiership. What an amazing thing.

"We have lots of these guys, and we need to put things in place so when they come to England they enjoy it, they want to come and play and do well."

Johnson does not officially take charge until July 1, a date that coincides with the launch of a new eight-year agreement between the Rugby Football Union and their Premiership clubs.

He will not tour New Zealand with England in June - his wife Kay will be in the latter stages of pregnancy - but Johnson intends having a major say on squad selection, both for that two-Test trip and a June 1 appointment with the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Johnson's first major challenge arrives during the autumn when England face quickfire Tests against the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

"We want to be successful as quickly as we can. The art of this thing is to win," he said.

"We saw in the Six Nations this season that England go to Scotland in terrible condition, and then play the next week in fantastic conditions.

"Style of play can depend on the weather, and often the game-plan you have worked on all week goes out of the window in the first five minutes.

"You have to find a way to win - it is about execution.

"Let's be honest, some of the biggest games in recent times have been won on drop-goals, and no-one complains when they win.

"There is a report out from the All Blacks about their loss at the (2007) World Cup. They would love to have dropped a goal."

Apart from player assessments, one of Johnson's early priorities is to recruit a backs specialist to his coaching team alongside John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence).

Northampton Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder and former England star Mike Catt are among those whose names have been linked to the vacancy.

"We need a backs coach. Whether he will be the senior coach among that group, we will see," Johnson added.

"When you have a group of people, they have to trust each other. We need to accept ideas from outside the group.

"One of Clive Woodward's strengths was that he went out of his sport to get ideas. Some of them were great, and they added to things.

"He was always having ideas, that was part of his strength. If you ever say 'same again' in sport, you start going backwards.

"We may decide we need support in some areas.

"Take scrum-halves for example. We have a lot of good players coming through, playing in the Premiership without a huge amount of experience, so we could have a guy who can coach them, not just in Test week but a guy in the England management week."

Woodward's influence looks certain to rub off on Johnson following their dream team coach and captain combination that helped inspire World Cup success in 2003. And Johnson confirmed he spoke with the former England boss as he contemplated the RFU's managerial offer.

"I spoke to Clive about it. I spoke to him when I retired (from playing), and I speak to him a number of times a year," he said.

"I spoke to lots of people, and quite a few people spoke to me. It was interesting.

"Sometimes you have a take on something and other people have a different take, or see you differently to how you see yourself.

"Some people advised caution, and a lot said 'you have a lot to lose.'

"I am 38-years-old. I am not going to be sitting there for however long I have got living on what happened in 2003 and before that.

"You put yourself on the line every time you play and go out there. Your reputation is on the line."