Corry backs Johnson for England role

Martin Johnson has been backed to help lift England's flagging spirits after he was linked with the role of national team manager.

According to another former England captain, Martin Corry, the 2003 World Cup-winning skipper would be the ideal choice to lift the under-achieving team after a disappointing RBS 6 Nations campaign under head coach Brian Ashton.

"Johnno has got to be involved because he has all the qualities you want in a rugby leader," Corry told the Daily Mail.

"In terms of what you are looking for in a leader, he has an aura about him. To start with, he knows the game. He makes the right calls."

With Ashton's future as coach under scrutiny, Johnson is reported to be meeting the RFU's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew in the next two days which could lead to him being appointed as the new supremo in time for England's two end-of-season Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

Corry believes Johnson could be the missing link to help Ashton get England back on course.

"There has to be an obvious leader overseeing the whole structure," added Corry.

"That's probably what has been lacking and what Brian has been looking for, someone to be at the top to co-ordinate the whole thing while he gets on with coaching."