Johnson not keen on England job

Martin Johnson is not interested in replacing Andy Robinson as England coach, reports this evening suggest

Martin Johnson is not interested in replacing Andy Robinson as England coach, reports this evening suggest

The World Cup-winning captain is believed to have made his intentions clear during a business trip to Dubai this week.

Johnson, who retired as a player in 2004, is enjoying his promotional and sponsorship work and is not ready for a return to rugby.

It is understood he thinks there are candidates available who are better qualified to turn around England's fortunes.

Robinson stood down as head coach after last weekend's defeat to South Africa, England's eighth loss in nine Tests.

Johnson this week dismissed reports linking him with the England job as "speculation" and "rumour".

And he has been quoted in this week's edition of the Rugby Timesas saying: "I am not going to walk into the dressing room and wave a magic wand. These things don't happen like that.

"If you want to be involved as a coach, fine, be involved as a coach. But I am not doing that at the moment. I am not coaching at any level.

"They (England) have got guys in place there and they need to be given a little bit of time to try to get it done. I have honestly got no plans to get back into rugby at the moment."  PA

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