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Over and out: Johnson quits as England boss

Martin Johnson will confirm his resignation as England manager later this morning, according to reports.

MARTIN JOHNSON WILL confirm his resignation as England team manager later this afternoon, the BBC reports.

Johnson’s decision to step down comes just five weeks after England’s disastrous Rugby World Cup ended with defeat to France in the quarter-finals.

As a player, Johnson captained England to a famous World Cup victory in Australia in 2003 and was seen as the standout candidate to replace Brian Ashton as team manager in 2008.

Earlier this year, the former international lock oversaw England’s 26th Six Nations title though he and his players were cruelly denied a Grand Slam in their final game by Ireland.

Tipped as the Northern Hemisphere’s top prospect for the 2011 World Cup, England’s campaign was overshadowed by poor on-field performances and “unacceptable” off-field behaviour, prompting the RFU to launch an investigation into what went wrong.

Johnson and the RFU’s elite rugby director Rob Andrew are expected to hold a press briefing later this afternoon.

More to follow.

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5 Comments
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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Feb 10th 2016, 2:24 PM

    An absolutely unbelievable player but a complete lunatic.

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    Mute Fred west
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    Feb 10th 2016, 2:33 PM

    He only seems to bite when he wants a transfer .Cant envisage him wanting to bite his way out of Barcelona !

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    Mute Beano
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    Feb 10th 2016, 3:28 PM

    Some of the best sportsmen are a bit loco. No harm in that

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    Mute Andrew Keane
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    Feb 10th 2016, 2:42 PM

    Let’s see if he’s hungry for more.

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    Mute Rigsby
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    Feb 10th 2016, 3:10 PM

    For a third time he should have got longer

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 10th 2016, 3:30 PM

    It’s ok rigbsy you don’t have to hate him anymore he doesn’t play for Liverpool.let it go

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    Mute Rigsby
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    Feb 10th 2016, 3:37 PM

    No he’s plays for my team but that doesn’t excuse what he’s done in the past.

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    Mute Gary Sheehan
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    Feb 10th 2016, 3:59 PM

    Rigsby. A classic Catalan name

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 10th 2016, 4:06 PM

    Course he does rigsby course he does

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    Mute Rigsby
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    Feb 10th 2016, 4:59 PM

    Nothing to do with my name Gary , I spent several years working in Spain, in particular Barcelona

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 10th 2016, 5:40 PM

    Your names hardly Manuel is it?

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    Mute Rigsby
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    Feb 10th 2016, 7:09 PM

    Just like yours isn’t Alan ! I’m well aware of your child nonsense. So why not cop on and grow up a bit

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 10th 2016, 7:41 PM

    I’m from Barcelona I know nothing

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    Mute Kurt Barlow
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    Feb 10th 2016, 8:02 PM

    Well your right about knowing nothing neeneee !!

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    Mute Kurt Barlow
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    Feb 10th 2016, 8:10 PM

    Rigsby pay no attention to the resident 42 clown that is Alan b/neeneee.

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    Mute Rigsby
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    Feb 10th 2016, 8:12 PM

    I don’t Barlow

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    Mute Alan b
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    Feb 10th 2016, 8:17 PM

    You do realise you’re talking to yourself there Barlow/rigby

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    Mute Don Draper
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    Feb 10th 2016, 7:47 PM

    Hope he does something so mental that barca want rid of him and he comes back to Liverpool.a man can dream

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