Coach's excuses lame after captain lets down side again

England's coach is in a jam over Martin Johnson, writes CHRIS HEWETT of the Independent.

Respectable England rarely find themselves out-manoeuvred on the disciplinary front by the combustible French.

But it happened this week when French coach Bernard Laporte took strong action against two errant locks just as his opposite number, Clive Woodward, was explaining why he felt unable to drop Martin Johnson for tomorrow's Six Nations meeting with Ireland at Twickenham.

Not for the first time in recent campaigns, Johnson landed himself in a heap of trouble by punching Scotland hooker Robbie Russell during last weekend's televised premiership match between Saracens and Leicester. Both Russell, who needed six stitches in an eye wound, and Johnson were sin-binned, a decision that would have signalled the end of the matter in normal circumstances.

Johnson is not a normal circumstance, however; he is the England captain, and a high-profile player with a good deal of previous.

After two days of media-generated uproar, the Rugby Football Union disciplinary officer, Robert Horner, announced that Johnson must appear before a disciplinary committee on Tuesday morning (NZT). Uncomfortably aware that suspensions imposed on Johnson and a second Leicester player, Austin Healey, over the past 13 months were viewed with deep suspicion by the rest of the Six Nations community - the bans just happened to expire in time for both to play in important England matches - Horner is under considerable pressure to throw the book at the national captain.

Woodward defended his selection of his captain for the Irish test by insisting that the matter was in Horner's hands. Asked why he had not taken unilateral action against Johnson, as he had in dropping him for a Twickenham test against the Springboks in 1997, he replied: "On that occasion, I left him out as a result of something he did while playing for England the previous week.

"I was in charge of that situation, and I made the call. On Saturday, Martin was playing for Leicester, and I have no jurisdiction over him when he plays for his club."

It was not a convincing explanation, and it seemed even less persuasive when news began to filter through from the French camp.

Laporte dropped David Auradou from his squad for tomorrow's game with Wales in Cardiff, citing the Stade Francais lineout specialist's visit to the sin-bin against Italy a fortnight ago.

He also refused to promote the former Tricolor captain Fabien Pelous in Auradou's stead, because Pelous had been yellow-carded while playing for Toulouse against Montauban last weekend.

"For two years, I have striven for good behaviour, discipline and the setting of a good example," said Laporte, who is determined to rid French rugby of the disciplinary scars left by Michel Palmie, Daniel Dubroca, Vincent Moscato and other assorted head-bangers and basket-cases.

"All the referees I meet keep praising me for this and recognise that today, we are the least penalised of teams.

"There is no question of my letting people go overboard and break down the good things we have achieved."

Woodward was unapologetic, but he did condemn Johnson's punch.

"He isn't proud of what he did, and I wish he hadn't done it. I don't suppose it was the last punch anyone will ever throw in a game of rugby, and it won't ruin the sport for all eternity.

"We should remember that in an England environment, Martin's self-control has been outstanding. He plays right on the edge, but knows when to step back."

And the man himself? Johnson fronted up, as he generally does.

"I overreacted and it shouldn't have happened. I've played enough rugby to know that if I do that sort of thing, I have every chance of being sent off."

He seemed resigned to being banned at some point over the next fortnight.

"You have to be accountable for your actions."

- INDEPENDENT