Baptism of fire for Johnson

Martin Johnson faces possibly the three most difficult matches that any England head coach has had to start with, as he prepares to go head to head with the Pacific Islands, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand in his first four games in charge.

However, Johnson is fully aware of the challenge that lays ahead and is relishing the opportunity to improve performances.

He commented, “It’s probably the toughest set of Test matches that any team I’ve ever been involved in has ever played. That’s the challenge in front of us and there’s no point trying to shirk it - it’s going to happen and we have to be ready.”

Johnson ready to be judged

Martin Johnson says he knows how he will be judged as England head coach and that’s by how well the team performs out on the field.

However, Johnson said he was disappointed by the England team’s conduct in New Zealand and such behaviour was unacceptable for the national side.

He commented, “The allegations made against the England team were serious - we can’t have that for our players, for our team, for our sport. It is not what we are about. The England team has never had it before and we should never have it again.”

“I’m aware of the perception of what I’m expected to bring to the job but ultimately it comes down to how well we play on the pitch.”

Ospreys hot-seat too hot for many

The job as Ospreys head coach is not an enticing role according to Jonathan Davies, the former Wales captain.

The club have had trouble finding a replacement for Lyn Jones and will head into the new season with assistant coaches Sean Holley and Jonathan Humphreys leading the side.

But Davies believes the set-up at Ospreys makes the job a less than enticing prospect. He commented, “Most coaches would come into a new job and want to be the main man. But at the Ospreys he will be coming in under (Ospreys Elite Performance Director) Andrew Hore, it’s a difficult position to enter into.”

Barkley out for eight weeks

Olly Barkley is looking at eight weeks on the sidelines after it was revealed he will need an operation to repair his fractured left wrist.

The Gloucester centre picked up the injury on England’s ill-fated tour of New Zealand and is now struggling to be fit for the start of the new season.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan commented, “Olly requires this surgery to give him the best chance of being fit for the start of the Premiership season”.

Meyer humbled by Tigers appointment

New Leicester Tigers head coach Heyneke Meyer say he is ‘humbled’ to be at the club and considers them to be one of the biggest in the world.

The 40 year-old South African put pen to paper on a three year contract yesterday after agreeing to replace Marcelo Loffreda who was sacked back in June.

He commented, “I am humbled a club like Leicester has considered me. I am very thankful they have appointed me and I am looking forward to getting started. I have always thought that if I want to get back into rugby it must be with one of the best clubs in the world, and I truly believe Leicester Tigers are one of the best clubs.”

Henson out until September

Gavin Henson is likely to miss the start of the season after Ospreys revealed that the centre is likely to be out of action until the end of September.

The Welsh international underwent surgery on his ankle in April after suffering an injury against Saracens in the Heineken Cup.

Originally, Henson had been optimistic about his chances of making it back in time for the start of the new season, but now looks to have admitted defeat.

Johnson wields England axe

Martin Johnson has named his first England elite squad and left out some high profile names as he tries to create a team in his own image.

Mike Tindall, Ben Kay and Joe Worsley are the most notable absentees but Dave Strettle and Nick Easter have also missed out with all five being relegated to the Saxons squad.

Charlie Hodgson has been dropped completely but Josh Lewsey returns to the squad along with James Simpson-Daniel.

The complete squad reads:

Forwards: Steve Borthwick (Saracens), George Chuter (Leicester), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Tom Croft (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Lee Mears (Bath), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Tim Payne (Wasps), Tom Rees (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps).

Backs: Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Danny Care (Harlequins), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Pete Richards (London Irish), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mathew Tait (Sale), Tom Varndell (Leicester), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle).

England Saxons squad:

Forwards: Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Richard Blaze (Leicester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Jack Forster (Gloucester), Tom Guest (Harlequins), Jason Hobson (Bristol), Chris Jones (Sale), Ben Kay (Leicester), Michael Lipman (Bath), David Paice (London Irish), George Skivington (Wasps), Andy Titterrell (Gloucester), Joe Ward (Wasps), David Wilson (Newcastle), Nick Wood (Gloucester) Joe Worsley (Wasps).

Backs: Nick Abendanon (Bath), Anthony Allen (Gloucester), Matt Banahan (Bath), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Ben Foden (Northampton), Andy Goode (Leicester), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Ryan Lamb (Gloucester), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Topsy Ojo (London Irish), David Strettle (Harlequins), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Dominic Waldouck (Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale).

Sidoli leaves the Dragons

Newport Gwent Dragons have suffered a blow to their plans for next season with the news that Peter Sidoli has decided to leave the club and join Calvisano.

The 28 year old second row, has played 114 times for the Dragons said he was sad to be leaving but couldn’t turn down the opportunity to join the Italian Super 10 champions.

He commented, “I have learnt so much over the last few years with the Dragons under the guidance of Jim McCreedy, so I hope that I can bring what I have learnt to Calvisano as well as learning from my new team.”

Cipriani hopeful of swift return

Wasps and England star Danny Cipriani is targeting a return to action by the end of November, following his horror injury picked up against Bath late on in the season.

The fly-half suffered a fracture dislocation of his right ankle in what was one of the worst injuries seen all year.

However, Cipriani remains positive and believes he can make a swift return and force his way back into the England team.

He commented, “I’m not setting myself an exact game, but late November would be a good comeback for me from the injury.”

Rugby star arrested

New Zealand rugby star Jimmy Cowan has been arrested for disorderly behaviour following an incident outside a bar on Sunday.

The scrum-half already faces charges following another incident back in May and is expected to be suspended from international duty as a consequence.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand commented, “We understand no-one was hurt and no property was damaged. But clearly it is a pattern of behaviour that indicates he doesn’t make good decisions when he’s been drinking.”

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