Cipriani is backing role for Johnson

Mar 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

DANNY Cipriani would welcome Martin Johnson’s appointment to the England management team but insists Brian Ashton has the players’ full support.

Twickenham’s director of elite rugby Rob Andrew is reportedly keen to appoint Johnson as England supremo in a newly-created role that would give him full control of the coaching set-up.

The development casts further doubt on the future of Ashton, who steered England to a second-place finish in the RBS 6 Nations with Saturday’s 33-10 victory over Ireland.

Cipriani, who produced a star turn on his full Test debut on Saturday, believes the current coaching line-up should remain intact.

But the 20-year-old Wasps ace understands the benefit Johnson’s presence would bring.

“I met Martin once very briefly. He was obviously a great leader and if he was given a management role then England could possibly benefit from it,” he said.

“But Brian Ashton, Mike Ford and John Wells have been very positive for England. They took England to a World Cup final and second in the Six Nations.

“Everything went smoothly against Ireland because the coaching team put their mark down and we backed them 100 per cent. All the players are behind Brian because he’s done so well for England.”

Ashton will discover his fate next Wednesday when Andrew presents his tournament review to the Rugby Football Union’s management board.