Dallaglio: Johnno will make England great again

Pain game: Jonny Wilkinson is recovering from his latest injury setback
Neal Collins13 April 2012

Lawrence Dallaglio has backed team manager Martin Johnson to make England the best rugby team on the planet for a second time.

Dallaglio believes things "haven't been the same" since Sir Clive Woodward's departure in 2004 and was particularly scathing about player behaviour on the summer tour to New Zealand.

The squad were allowed to go drinking until the early hours after losing the first Test 37-20 and Dallaglio says this has to change.

Delivering the annual Obolensky Lecture in London last night, the retired Wasps legend said: "Martin Johnson knows what it takes to win.

"He knows that if you lose in New Zealand you don't go out on the town.

"The best winners are those who hate losing. There are some standards that are non-negotiable that have been missing from the England team over the last few years."

Dallaglio, like Johnson a former England captain, also had a special message for injury-plagued fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, out until April with a dislocated left knee.

He added: "He is truly a world-class player and a world-class person. I'm sure we all wish him the very best in his recovery.

"Jonny has been incredibly loyal to Newcastle Falcons. But has his loyalty cost him the opportunity to win medals and trophies throughout his career? It could cost him his place in the England team."

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