England to give WAGs freedom to visit players

Martin Johnson yesterday revealed that England would adopt an open-door policy for wives and girlfriends to visit players during the World Cup.

Johnson’s 30-man squad – minus the ill Simon Shaw, who was set to travel today – were saying their goodbyes to family and friends yesterday as they jetted off for what they hope will be a near two-month stay in New Zealand.

But unlike their football and cricket counterparts, who have been denied regular contact with their nearest and dearest during major events away from home recently, England’s rugby stars will be permitted to fly them over for a reunion at any time.

Manager Johnson said: “I don’t impose travel restrictions. The wives and girlfriends are all very sensible and very supportive and just want their partners to have a good experience in terms of playing.”

Former lock Johnson, who enjoyed similar licence while captaining his country to World Cup glory eight years ago, added: “It is the best thing you can have. I had my wife and my little girl out there in 2003 and it is part of the switching-off process. It gives you some normality.

“When we are in camp [in England], they can go home and get some reality. It is an intense little bubble you live in, even at home, never mind being away from home in a World Cup.”

Regular visits from loved ones may also help England avoid a repeat of the kind of scandal that engulfed their last visit to New Zealand three years ago, when two players were fined following a drinking session that resulted in an allegation of sexual assault, although no formal complaint was made to police.

Johnson added: “When I started playing rugby at senior level, you were dealing with blokes. They treated us like adults and there is no reason to change that. They are there to make sensible decisions. If I can’t trust them, there is a simple choice for us to make.”

Despite the thinly-veiled warning, Johnson urged his players to take the time to unwind in between matches and “enjoy the experience”.

Revealing that there would be no Twitter bans on his players, he added: “You are away from home for a long time and you have got to be able to switch off in the heat of it all.”