Johnson takes responsibilty over ‘ballgate’ as England face Scotland

Johnson confirmed he was involved in the decision to ban Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking mentor Dave Alred and fitness specialist Paul Stridgeon from today’s decisive Pool B showdown with Scotland.

The two coaches had illegally switched the ball Wilkinson was due to kick conversions with on a number of occasions during the first half of England’s 67-3 victory over Romania.

The Rugby Football Union were forced to act after England became the subject of a misconduct investigation by Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL).

Johnson and Wilkinson avoided having to answer any official questions from RWCL on their own involvement, or lack of, after the tournament organisers accepted England’s action and chose not to launch a further investigation.

Alred and Stridgeon helped put the England squad through their final paces at Eden Park yesterday – but both will be banned from entering the stadium today.

“I am responsible for everything that happens here,” Johnson said. “Of course the RFU are involved as well but it was also my say (to implement the bans). I’m part of the RFU, I’m an employee of the RFU. Paul and David did what they did in the heat and confusion of a Test match. I don’t suspend guys lightly. We regret what we did and it was wrong.

“In the heat of a World Cup match these guys have made a mistake and they had paid for it.

“We should have asked the referee (if they could switch balls), we didn’t. They asked us to stop, we did. Paul is gutted by this, getting something wrong. He is upset by it, as is Dave.”

This latest brush with authority comes after an eventful World Cup campaign for England, who were reprimanded by tournament officials after their shirt numbers peeled off in the opening game against Argentina.

Johnson then had to face down criticism over his players’ conduct on a drunken night out in a Queenstown bar that was hosting a dwarf-racing competition.

Mike Tindall also found himself at the centre of a media storm after being captured on CCTV at the Altitude Bar in conversation with a woman.

If England beating Scotland in Auckland, they will top Pool B and book a quarter-final with France.

England will still qualify if they earn a losing bonus point – but that is not on Johnson’s agenda.

“We are playing knock-out rugby. This is where we want to be - playing a big pool game, wanting to win it to win the pool,” said Johnson. “There is lots of chat of getting bonus points but we want to win the Test match.”

Bridge to far for Scotland – Kenny Logan gives his verdict: Page 26