Back set to lead England in France
Neil Back will lead England into the Six Nations 'decider' against France if the RFU suspends Martin Johnson for the most talked-about punch in rugby.
With the Lions captain facing a three-man disciplinary tribunal in Bristol on Thursday, England have drawn up the contingency plan of putting Back in charge on Saturday week for what ought to be the last major obstacle to the Grand Slam after three near misses. England play Wales at Twickenham on March 23 and Italy in Rome on April 7. Johnson, fresh from propelling his country to the top of the official world rankings with a majestic 45-11 win over Ireland, said last night: 'I've put myself in this situation. They are my actions and I am accountable. I know I did wrong but these things happen. 'I am not one for whingeing about being picked on. It's great to be playing for England, particularly in this team, but if I am not allowed to play in Paris, Neil will captain the team and I'll be 100 per cent behind him.' Back, the 33-year-old Leicester flanker who led England to home wins over Australia and Romania last November while Johnson was nursing a broken hand, said: 'I hope I am not captaining the team in France. If Johnno is not available, I would love to do the job but I hope the tribunal will do the right thing on Thursday and that he will lead us out in Paris.'
England manager Clive Woodward warned that the RFU would set a dangerous precedent if it banned Johnson. He said: 'A lot of punches are thrown in the Premiership, some a lot worse than Martin's, and nobody has been banned. He should be treated like any other player. If he is banned, fine, but every other player has to be banned for throwing a punch. Martin Johnson is a role model respected throughout the rugby world. For England, throughout last year, he never gave away a single penalty.'
Woodward rejected France coach Bernard Laporte's criticism that Johnson should not have played against Ireland.
'I agree with Bernard's stance on discipline but England's track record is outstanding,' said Woodward. 'I don't want to name names but players have been removed from our squad because I didn't think they stacked up in terms of their ability to handle on-field pressure. I am not doing it for any self-righteous reasons but because it can cost us Test matches.
'One reason why we've had such a fantastic run is that we have people in the team who can control themselves. I think we are leading the way in all this.
'Yes, Johnson lost his self-control but it did not warrant me removing him from the team. I was right to play him and I don't think I need to justify it.'
