Battered and beaten Lions legend retreats before being trapped

London: As Martin Johnson sat at Twickenham on Wednesday, emotionally contemplating his demise as England manager and striving in vain to explain his reasons for standing down, it wouldn't have occurred to him that the date marked a notable anniversary.

Exactly eight years earlier, on November 16, 2003, the then national captain had led his side with typical composure and authority to victory over France and thus into the final of the World Cup.

A week later, Johnson and his teammates would take the last giant step to global glory by beating Australia to claim the Webb Ellis Cup and fulfil their destiny.

Those were altogether better days for England and for Johnson.

On Wednesday, the giant who bestrode the game as a genuine Lions legend appeared battered and beaten by the ordeal he has been through in recent months. There were occasional traces of the familiar cussed defiance, but his eyes betrayed a sadness that he was not prepared to admit — at least, not publicly.

Johnson spoke at one stage of having no regrets, but alluded to many. He made it plain he would have relished the chance to guide an England team with abundant raw promise towards their rightful place at the top table. He hinted more than once that, had he had his time again, he would have done certain things differently.

Little of what he said provided a definitive insight into the rationale for leaving his post. He spoke in general terms of making a decision that he felt was right for himself, England and English rugby.

However, there were clues between the lines. Johnson gave every indication that he was jumping before being pushed — suggesting that he saw the writing on the wall even while the post-World Cup reviews were in full swing, with no conclusion in sight.

Key factor

"It's been my call and I understand that if I hadn't made it somebody might have made it for me," he said. "I couldn't argue with that. Players know it when we pick and drop them and it's the same with coaches."

The other apparently key factor for Johnson was the impact on his family and private life. Having taken time to consider his next move after the tournament, he evidently felt that a job he described as ‘addictive' after the Six Nations was taking too much of a toll on himself and those closest to him.

"You weigh up factors," he said. "It's an all-encompassing and consuming job. "The cycles are from World Cup to World Cup and you have to decide whether you are prepared to jump in for four years and wholly commit yourself to that job, knowing that you might not get the chance to go four years anyway. I'm not.

"There are lots of things that come into it. There's your personal life and where you are and my decision was ultimately ‘no', That's the choice I have made."

Johnson was at pains yesterday to emphasise the progress made in the last 18 months or so, repeatedly stating the 2011 record of ten wins in 13 matches. He was entitled to reflect on a degree of improvement from the depths at which England found themselves early in his tenure. That upward momentum was highlighted by a first Six Nations title since the golden year of 2003.

Yet, the stark fact is that in 40 Tests since Johnson was appointed, the national team won 21, drew one and lost 18. As a captain he would not have accepted such mediocrity.

To focus on the positive elements, he leaves a core of young talent in place. Since the spring of last year, a growing number of tyros have been introduced to Test rugby and thrived, at least fleetingly — from Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood up front to Ben Youngs, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi in the back division.