Cotton: Johnson is a 'massive risk'

Eurosport - Fri, 28 Nov 17:10:00 2008

Former international and British Lions manager Fran Cotton claims the RFU has taken a "massive risk" putting Martin Johnson in charge of the England team.

Fran Cotton - 0

World Cup winning captain Johnson was appointed England manager earlier this year despite never having coached or managed a team, at any level.

Cotton, the former England and British Lions prop who was part of the study group that was responsible for Sir Clive Woodward's appointment, insists the RFU should have gone for someone with coaching and management experience.

England face New Zealand on Saturday hoping to avoid a third successive defeat at Twickenham following heavy losses to Australia and South Africa earlier this month.

"Johnson has immense playing experience. He is an intelligent man. But he hasn't done any of this before," Cotton told the Daily Telegraph.

"He will learn the role and learn it quickly, but it shouldn't happen like that."

Cotton, a successful businessman who also managed the winning 1997 Lions tour to South Africa, believes the RFU should have gone for someone with a proven track record.

"There were outstanding candidates out there in Jake White and Nick Mallett," added Cotton, also part of the Lions team that were unbeaten on the 1974 tour to South Africa.

"Yet the management board forced Rob Andrew to appoint someone with none of those guys' experience and success.

"You wouldn't do it in business. Yet modern rugby is a business. The England team is the RFU's bottom line. It is a massive risk."

Cotton, who has made millions from his Cotton Traders manufacturing business, also claims that Steve Borthwick should never have been appointed captain.

"I'm sure Steve Borthwick is a good lad, but at this level he is not quite good enough," said Cotton.

"That has compromised the whole second row selection. England's best second rows are too similar to Borthwick."

England lost 28-14 to Australia and 42-6 to South Africa, which was their heaviest defeat at Twickenham.

YOU CAN FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND FROM 14:30 ON SATURDAY RIGHT HERE!

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

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  1. Why can't non Sky Sports subscribing, English rugby­ union fans watch this match live on TV like we used to­ be able to??????? Why is there not a big outcry about­ this or do all fans subscribe?

    From vicky b, on Fri 28 Nov 5:17PM

  2. The trouble with English rugby is that we are still­ dining out on that Jonny Wilkinson drop goal,just as we­ are doing in football with 1966 and all that.Sir Clive­ was far enough away from the players socially so as­ not to be influenced by them when it came to­ selection.He probably had very few friends anyway!­ Martin Johnson is too close to the players which does­ not bode well for our future.I would appoint Fran­ Cotton and hope that he has similar results with the­ England team as he has enjoyed with his clothing­ empire.

    From Perry Neeham, on Fri 28 Nov 4:14PM

  3. hindsight is a wonderful thing!!if england had won­ there games would fran speak out in favour of­ johnson??....probably!!

    From sean d, on Fri 28 Nov 4:09PM

  4. I think Jonno is the man...hell learn fast and­ everything wil be sweet...but he does asyou say­ 'need time'

    From wez, on Fri 28 Nov 3:44PM

  5. If a has been is going to say anything he could at­ least say somthing we have not already heard!stick to­ knitting ya socks mate!

    From jason b, on Fri 28 Nov 3:43PM

  6. j

    From jason b, on Fri 28 Nov 3:41PM

  7. He has got a good point... Johnson being hired is a­ huge gamble, which I hope comes off as it will leave us­ with another few years in the wilderness, and will also­ tarnish the legends name. England need time, thats the­ main thing.

    From Stuart, on Fri 28 Nov 3:33PM

  8. Nobody should get such a high profile job as the­ England manager without any form of experience. The­ latest results just go to prove this.

    From Bromley Blue, on Fri 28 Nov 3:16PM

  9. Blimey. I think Fran should stick to making clothes

    From tonypassmore31, on Fri 28 Nov 2:31PM
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