Martin Johnson has '14 days left'

10 April 2012

Martin Johnson's time as England team manager is almost up and star names Mike Tindall and Manu Tuilagi could both be banned for their part in the disastrous Rugby World Cup challenge in New Zealand.

Martyn Thomas, the Rugby Football Union's chief executive, has asked his legal officer to look at possible charges to be brought against the players who were involved in a series of off-the-field incidents.

Besides Tindall's drunken night in a Queenstown bar, Tuilagi was fined for wearing an unsanctioned gumshield and then jumped off a moving ferry in Auckland harbour before being arrested by police and fined £3,000. Others who got into trouble included Chris Ashton, James Haskell and Dylan Hartley, who had to apologise to a hotel worker in Dunedin.

Johnson's three-year tenure is under serious threat and Thomas has given him "seven to 14 days" to announce if he wants to stand down or apply for a new contract as team manager.

His contract runs out on December 31 but Johnson's only option appears now to quit before he is sacked.

Johnson will be at the centre of an independent inquiry into the campaign by Fran Cotton, the former RFU vice- chairman, who has already expressed his concerns, stating: "Martin has now been in charge three-and-a-half years and it is very difficult to understand what style of play this England rugby team is all about."

The stakes were raised further by Thomas who is in Auckland to attend key International Rugby Board meetings and host England's 2015 World Cup launch next week.

Thomas said: "Karena Vleck, the RFU legal officer, will be investigating all the allegations of misconduct off the field and she will be dealing with those over the next two weeks.

"She will deal with issues in relation to breach of the elite player squad agreement and also in terms of the code of conduct we put in.

"The appropriate action will be taken against those players. Under the terms of the elite player squad agreement they can be fined in relation to their match fees, they can be fined or cautioned in relation to breaches of the player code of conduct.

"It is open to discussions with Rob Andrew [RFU director] and the England team manager that they [the players] would not be available to England going forward as a fairly significant sanction. All of those things are on the cards."

He added: "Martin [Johnson] accepts the buck stops with him. I spoke to him after the French match and I asked Rob Andrew to tell him that we need answers as to whether he wishes to remain and his contract expires on December 31.

"I need to know if Martin wants to be considered for appointment on January 1 and ideally he will respond within seven to 14 days. Traditionally, the England manager has appointed his coaches and deciding if that is right going forward is a matter for Fran's report.

"The off-the-field performances have been wholly unacceptable. The team were together at Pennyhill Park for a considerable time before they left.

"Richard Smith QC was present, the RFU media department was present and the players were extensively counselled and coached on the conduct that was required of them.

"I don't believe any individual can put their hand up and say we didn't know what was going on. They were fully prepared."

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