Woodward backs Johnson as skipper

Suspended England skipper Martin Johnson is set to lead his country in the Six Nations Championship opener against Wales on February 3.  

Johnson, currently serving a 35-day ban, will retain the job when England boss Clive Woodward announces his Six Nations squad later this week.

And Woodward has revealed that he never considered stripping Johnson of leadership duties, despite a five-week suspension dished out by Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs for foul play.

Leicester captain Johnson, whose last game was the Tigers' Boxing Day victory over Premiership rivals Bath, cannot play again until February 2.

He was punished after being cited by Saracens following incidents during a Tetley's Bitter Cup quarter-final clash at Welford Road last month.

An RFU disciplinary panel found Johnson guilty of punching Saracens prop Julian White, kneeing fly-half Duncan McRae and then stamping on him.

Johnson subsequently appealed against the sentence, but that was dismissed by another three-man RFU team, who upheld the original ban.

He sat out Leicester's shock cup semi-final defeat against Harlequins on Saturday, and must also miss vital European appointments with Pau and Glasgow, in addition to a potential Heineken Cup quarter-final on January 27.

But despite Johnson's inevitable lack of match sharpness, Woodward believes he is the man to lead England into Millennium Stadium battle.

"Martin will be named as captain of the squad when it is announced on Tuesday or Wednesday," Woodward said.

"It is a great honour to captain England, and Martin is doing an exceptional job. I am very confident that he will be leading the team out against Wales."

With Johnson at the helm, England won four of their last five Test matches, significant victories over world champions Australia, South Africa (twice) and Argentina.

And while Woodward has competent captaincy alternatives - notably former England skippers Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio - Johnson currently stands head and shoulders above his rivals.

In an ideal world, Woodward would prefer Johnson to feature in Leicester's European campaign over the next few weeks, but has no qualms with the RFU punishment, describing it as "fair."

At least Johnson will be fit and fresh for a Six Nations tournament that sees England defending the title they won convincingly last season.

"Johnno has played a lot of rugby, and the break will probably do him good," Woodward told Radio 5 Live.

"He will keep his training going, and there is no problem with it from an England point of view."