Martin Johnson's Charmed Life

Martin Johnson’s charmed life
The Rugby Football Union made a remarkable statement this week. It was one which may gladden the heart of many rugby fans but I suspect will dismay a whole lot more.


The RFU, the governors of the game, said they were going to be kind to Johnson and let him keep his job until the next World Cup in 2011 despite the fact that his ratio of wins to games is, frankly, poor.


His predecessors, Brian Ashton and Andy Robinson, both had better records when it came to victories and it could be argued that Ashton and Robinson had the residue of the World Cup winners still available and Johnson rebuilding job is harder.


All true.


But RFU chairman Martyn Thomas’s plea that they should be praised for being more lenient with Johnson for not sacking him after being berated for doing exactly that to the previous two, doesn’t ring true.


We have the spectre of the emperor’s new clothes here.


The RFU is desperately hoping that Johnson gets it right in time for the World Cup. If he doesn’t they will be made to look like plonkers but I suspect they will still carry on.


It’s a bit like the LTA.


They are failing to bring young tennis stars into the world’s top 50 – or even top 100 – yet they insist what they are doing is right and hoping all will be well.