Geech hails underfire Johnno
BRITISH Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan has backed underfire England coach Martin Johnson, insisting there should be “no question” about his future.
Johnson came under critiscism as England slumped to a 27-17 defeat to Australia in the first Test in Perth on Saturday.
With just eight wins from 22 Tests, Johnson’s record is inferior to that of previous coaches Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson, but Scot McGeechan, who took charge of Johnson in two of his three stints as Lions coach, believes the World Cup-winning captain has been unlucky with injuries and should be backed by the Rugby Football Union. “I don’t think there should be any question – I rate Martin very highly in that regard and in that area with international rugby,” McGeechan said.
“He hasn’t had the best of luck at times with injuries – he had a lot of injuries for the November internationals. I think it is a matter of knowing which are his real starting core players, which I think Martin will be trying to achieve now and in the November series.”