England's famous figurehead Johnson standing at the crossroads as he returns to scene of greatest triumph

Past accomplishments mean nothing in the face of present predicaments.

Martin Johnson gave English rugby union fans their crowning moment when he captained his side to a World Cup final victory in 2003, but he returns to the scene of that triumph this morning under increasing pressure as the national team manager.

While Capello had enjoyed two years of relative progress before the doubters emerged, English rugby under the guidance of Johnson has been stuck in neutral as their main rivals from the southern hemisphere continue to improve.

In his defence, Johnson has not been dealt the fairest of hands – the current crop of players are not fit to lace the boots of the team he led to the top of the world seven years ago – but on his return to Sydney, England's famous old figurehead is facing the crossroads of his tenure.

With 16 months to go until the next World Cup in New Zealand, England have yet to look like anything resembling title contenders.

Ireland, France and Wales have seized the initiative in the Six Nations and their record against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand – the three southern hemisphere sides who are widening the gulf – reads won none, lost seven.

England's overall record under Johnson is eight wins from 22 Tests.

Every time they take a forward step, it is quickly followed by two shuffles backwards. An improving pack has the ability to give England a foothold, but their inability to attack from the front foot time and again sees them swept off their feet.

The defeat against the Wallabies in Perth last weekend summed up England under Johnson in one 80-minute match.

After today's second and final Test, they have just one last round of autumn internationals, the 2011 Six Nations and a summer tour to prepare for and construct a self-belief and a rhythm for the World Cup.

The RFU insist they will stick with Johnson and his under-fire backroom staff until then, but with England requiring a massive effort to prevent Australia sealing a series whitewash this morning, the pressure will continue to mount on the team manager.

"I don't like losing matches. I want to get better," said Johnson this week, in a statement that has become very familiar over his two years in charge.

"When you're involved with England being under pressure is what it's about. You have to play the best teams to improve."

Johnson's influence has been positive in certain areas, namely stamping out the indiscipline that haunted the team in the early days of his reign.

Now he just has to mould that discipline and fearless scrummaging with an offensive dynamism that can trouble the best opponents.

Johnson, who has brought in Courtney Lawes at lock and Ben Youngs at scrum-half, said: "We have said to the players this week: 'Now you have seen what the standards are, you have to set your sights there if you want to get into the England side, win and be successful'.

"We have talked about how, if any player takes their eye off the ball for one second, any chance Australia get they will go through. So we need a full 80 minutes of concentration."

A new 32-man elite player squad will be named on July 1 – whether Johnson is the man to name that squad could hinge on today's outcome in Sydney at the stadium that produced his greatest moment as a player.

Australia: J O'Connor; D Mitchell, R Horne, M Giteau, D Ioane; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Daley, S Faingaa, S Ma'afu, D Mumm, N Sharpe, R Elsom, D Pocock, R Brown. Replacements: H Edmonds, J Slipper, M Chisholm, M Hodgson, L Burgess, B Barnes, A Ashley-Cooper.

England: B Foden; M Cueto, M Tindall, S Hape, C Ashton; T Flood, B Youngs; T Payne, S Thompson, D Cole, C Lawes, T Palmer, T Croft, L Moody, N Easter. Replacements: G Chuter, D Wilson, S Shaw, J Haskell, D Care, J Wilkinson, D Armitage.

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