Johnson and Dallaglio disagree over intimidation claims

Thursday 4 February 2010
Published By: David Rawlings
International Rugby > England

Martin Johnson has rubbished claims by Lawrence Dallaglio that the World Cup-winning captain "intimidates" his team and makes it hard for them to perform to their best.

The exchange started when Dallaglio told the Sunday Times that Martin Johnson's iconic status makes some players scared to debate with him or challenge his opinion, but the England coach disagrees.

He told the BBC that the squad have had "open" and "frank" discussions in the last month, which he believes is a great thing.

The former second row added: "The inconsistencies of not having guys there through injury, although the next guys are good players, means you lose that relationship and that chemistry that builds up. It takes time."

Johnson and Dallaglio's former team mate Jeremy Guscott recently revealed his players to watch out for in the upcoming Six Nations tournament and said Ireland's Rob Kearney, England's Riki Flutey and France's Imanol Harinordoquy should stand out.