“England still need Martin Johnson” – Brian Smith
Smith, currently compiling a Six Nations dossier for Australia coach Michael Cheika following his departure from London Irish, also questioned Stuart Lancaster’s leadership credentials in the wake of last week’s defeat to Ireland.
Smith told The Rugby Paper: “One of the biggest travesties in rugby is that Martin is not still England’s manager.”
Johnson resigned following England’s 2011 World Cup disaster, after which a damning report from players, compiled by the Rugby Players Association, led to Smith’s departure and those of fellow coaches Mike Ford and John Wells.
Only forwards guru Graham Rowntree survived the fall-out of a campaign that was punctuated by poor player behaviour, most notably Mike Tindall, but Smith is convinced Johnson should have remained as manager.
“He was such a capable person, a good man with such integrity and high standards.
“He could have saved himself by cutting a couple of us coaches after the last World Cup, but he wouldn’t do it because he didn’t believe in it.
“He couldn’t just turn a blind eye to something he felt wasn’t right, so he left himself.
“We’ve had to live with the actions of a few young men who went a bit silly and the consequences of a poor 20 minutes against France, but we were also mindful that coaches like Clive Woodward and Graham Henry were given a second crack.
“If you put Johnno in charge of the current coaches (Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt), he’s the sort of bloke who can provide the level of leadership England need.
“He climbed the mountain as a player and, after the experience he gained managing at a first World Cup, it’s crazy he’s not still involved.”
England’s 19-9 loss in Dublin, allied to earlier losses to New Zealand and South Africa, means they will not meet the RFU‘s target of achieving a top-two world ranking before the World Cup.
Smith added: “Stuart Lancaster’s got a good coaching crew – Rowntree is clearly a world-class forwards coach, Farrell is the general and Catt’s a brilliant bloke who’s been there and done it – but for me there’s been a lot of rhetoric.
“They’ve missed one of their targets to be second in the world going into the World Cup and questions will now be asked of Stuart.
“Stuart’s very conscious of managing the media message, but coaching is a results business and he’s been at the helm for some time now. On the big occasions, the big moments, England are being squeezed out and the honeymoon is over.”
Smith is dismissive of England World Cup chances, adding: “Ireland was a wake-up call. England didn’t get the set-piece dominance and Ireland are clearly ahead.
“It’s a true reflection of the pecking order in Europe right now and I don’t think it’s realistic for this England team to be No.1 or No.2 in the world before the World Cup. In my opinion, this group will be better at the next World Cup.”
Smith heads home to Australia at the end of the month, but has options ahead.
He said: “Coaching England was a real highlight and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity Johnno gave me. I’m helping Michael Cheika out at the moment but have options to coach in the Premiership, Europe and Super Rugby.”
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