Agreement with clubs is cornerstone of Johnson's new era

Published on Tuesday 1 July 2008 23:29

MARTIN Johnson yesterday ushered in a new era designed to restore crisis-hit England to the summit of world rugby.

An abysmal tour of New Zealand has tarnished England's reputation on and off the field, the latest chapter in a horrendous period dating back to 2004.

Last autumn's surprise appearance in the World Cup final has been the only highlight since Johnson lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003, and the revered former captain has returned in the guise of team manager to oversee the revival.

To assist him, a new agreement with the 12 Premiership clubs comes into effect – giving unprecedented access to players. Members of the senior England squad can now be away for up to 14 weeks of the season in uninterrupted blocks, with the clubs receiving 146,250 per man in compensation.

"This is a new era for English rugby, with the agreement between the clubs and RFU coming into effect," said Johnson.

Johnson marked his first day as England's new supremo by unveiling a 32-strong Elite Player Squad. Wasps centre Riki Flutey, a former New Zealand Maori international who qualifies in September on residency grounds, and Leicester duo Jordan Crane and Dan Hipkiss are among the players who will meet for training in August.

Johnson also displayed a ruthless streak by announcing two headline casualties, in Mike Tindall and Ben Kay.

Back rows Nick Easter and Joe Worsley also found themselves in the Saxons squad, while Charlie Hodgson was jettisoned completely.

Johnson also vowed to crack down on ill-discipline following an allegation of rape and/or sexual assault which was made against four of the squad to tour New Zealand.

"The allegations made against the England team were serious – we can't have that for our players, for our team, for our sport," Johnson said. "It is not what we are about. The England team has never had it before – and we should never have it again."

England Elite Player Squad: Forwards: S Borthwick (Saracens), G Chuter (Leicester), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), N Kennedy (London Irish), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), L Narraway (Gloucester), T Palmer (Wasps), T Payne (Wasps), T Rees (London Wasps), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps). Backs: O Barkley (Gloucester), D Care (Harlequins), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), R Flutey (Wasps), S Geraghty (London Irish), D Hipkiss (Leicester), J Lewsey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), P Richards (London Irish), P Sackey (Wasps), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), M Tait (Sale), T Varndell (Leicester), J Wilkinson (Newcastle).