Johnson deals with selection headache

England manager Martin Johnson described his selection decision for Saturday's Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland as the toughest of his 18-month tenure.

The "marathon" deliberations following England's 20-16 defeat to Ireland resulted in two key decisions – to retain Delon Armitage at full-back ahead of Ben Foden and replace flanker Lewis Moody with Joe Worsley.

But there was no place in the final squad for Leeds Carnegie's outstanding back row forward Hendre Fourie, who had been called up on Monday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It was probably the longest selection process since I have been involved and the toughest but that's good. There is pressure on players to perform," said Johnson.

Armitage knows that more than most. The London Irish full-back has been struggling for form and did not expect to be selected, even after proving he had recovered from a rib injury.

Foden replaced him off the bench against Ireland and made an immediate impact, enhancing his already powerful claims to be awarded a first Test start.

Johnson left the final decision until yesterday morning but eventually decided to stick by Armitage for England's trip to Murrayfield and use Foden as an impact player off the bench.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Armitage knows his form must improve against Scotland or the full-back decision for England's final RBS Six Nations game against France will be much easier for Johnson to make.

Armitage said: "It was a massive relief to be named in the team. I kind of expected not to be in it.

"I haven't had the best Six Nations and after going off injured Ben came on and did a good job off the bench.

"For me to get another shot to try and get back to the form I showed last year is a good opportunity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"But obviously I need to start showing something. Foden is right there behind, he's been playing really well for his club, and the management and coaching set-up know he's ready.

"I could almost say I'm on my last wheels, this is my last chance. If I don't show some improvement I think I'll lose the shirt very soon.

"I'm not going to be negative. I'm a confident player and I have a job to do for the boys. I want to do it to the best of my ability and I will do everything I can."

Johnson, who spent his whole playing career at Leicester, laughed off the tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Moody was dropped as punishment for leaving Welford Road for Bath next season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With his serious face on, Johnson insisted Moody had not been dropped at all – rather that Worsley had been preferred at openside for a physical showdown with the Scottish back row.

Worsley is widely considered to be the best defender in the England set-up, he is a powerful ball-carrier and Johnson believes the Wasps veteran is the perfect fit to tackle the Scots.

"We had this conversation last year when we picked Joe at No 7 but he was probably our best player," said Johnson.

"There is not a weakness in Lewis's game but Joe's defence is good and his ball-carrying is particularly strong."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Johnson's other change to the side from the Ireland game was the expected inclusion of Leicester lock Louis Deacon in place of the injured Simon Shaw.

But there was a surprise on the bench, with Leicester's uncapped scrum-half Ben Youngs preferred to Paul Hodgson. Youngs, 20, went head-to-head with Hodgson in Leicester's 35-19 victory over London Irish on Saturday.

"It is a harsh call on Paul who has been fantastic for us on and off the field. Ben is playing well enough and deserves a chance," said Johnson.

England team to play Scotland in the RBS Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick-off 5pm): D Armitage (London Irish); M Cueto (Sale), M Tait (Sale), R Flutey (Brive), U Monye (Harlequins); J Wilkinson (Toulon), D Care (Harlequins); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester); L Deacon (Leicester), S Borthwick (Saracens, captain); J Haskell (Stade Francais), J Worsley (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins). Replacements: S Thompson (Brive), D Wilson (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), L Moody (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton).