MARTIN Johnson has revealed that England have used this week's training camp to address the fallout from the summer tour to New Zealand.
England's reputation was tarnished during the two-Test series against the All Blacks as they compounded their miserable form on the pitch with some controversial behaviour off it.
The Rugby Football Union launched an internal investigation into t
he post-match events in Auckland on 14 June, subsequently fining and reprimanding Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown. Johnson vowed to address any disciplinary problems when he officially took over as England manager on 1 July and has so far been impressed by the attitude of the players.
"We sat down as a group this week and talked about responsibility and the players led it. We wanted them to lead it," said the former Lions skipper.
"What the squad has been through can't happen again. The players are aware of that. They've been through it so there's no harsher lesson than what they had to endure out there.
"It was clear to all the coaches that the players understood the situation and are very keen to make amends.
"We've had a couple of really good meetings. That's part of the process of being a team."
Johnson admitted English rugby could ill-afford a repeat of the shambles in New Zealand as the fallen world champions target a return to winning ways. "If you can, you need to get guys to take responsibility for themselves but it has to be driven and led by the coaches," he said. "We don't think four days and two meetings makes everything all right. It's an every day process for all these guys and ourselves."
• The Rugby Football Union and O2 have extended their contract for a further four years as England Rugby's official sponsor. The deal, worth £4million a season, will incorporate the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
The full article contains 321 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
