Johnson stung by leaked reports

Martin Johnson launched a passionate defence of his regime in the wake of damning leaked reports into England's failed World Cup campaign.

Johnson, who stood down as team manager last week, described the fall-out from the World Cup fiasco as "one of the worst things I have experienced in the game".

The excerpts, published in The Times, painted the picture of a dysfunctional England squad riven by a lack of trust, with some players motivated more by money than by ambition.

Based on anonymous quotes contained within one report, compiled by the Rugby Players' Association, Johnson's coaching team was considered to be out of its depth.

The comments made tough reading for Johnson, who agreed with Rob Andrew's statement that English rugby had hit "rock bottom". But Johnson insisted the coverage has been selective and that the published player feedback does not represent the whole truth about the culture and attitude of his squad.

"Of course it is not great and to see those bits was one of the worst things I have experienced in the game," Johnson said.

"Rob said we were rock bottom and that is probably true. That is what is disappointing. The England team should be at the top of the game for everyone to look up to and admire and respect.

"The fact those reports have been leaked and the way they have been reported is obviously detrimental to the game. It is incredibly sad, unnecessary and wrong. My frustration is that this is not an accurate reflection of that team or the attitude.

"Do not take extreme opinions, written in extreme circumstances to be fact. They are opinions, they are certainly not truths.

"To pick out the most emotive and the worst comments is dangerous, very damaging and just not a true reflection of that group."