Smith: Praises Johnson

Wayne Smith, the former Northampton boss and New Zealand assistant coach, has been impressed with the progress England have made over the last 18 months.

England are Six Nations champions for the first time since Johnson captained his country to World Cup glory in 2003 and their ascent has been noticed.

Smith said: "They were really on the rise when we played them at Twickenham in November and we saw that when they beat Australia (the next weekend). They were brilliant.

"Martin Johnson has done a really good job. He's given them a lot of belief.

"They come out here with a squad that has developed its game hugely from basically a 10-man rugby team to playing 15-man rugby.

"I think that makes them a real danger."

All Blacks head coach Graham Henry believes England's defeat to Ireland in March, which cost them a Grand Slam, will only serve to make them more dangerous.

"They have certainly made some progress and they won the Six Nations title," said Henry, who made Johnson his captain on the 2001 Lions tour.

"There is some confidence there. the loss against Ireland in the last game of the Six Nations will give them some extra edge as well."

England gained some revenge for that defeat last weekend with a 20-9 warm-up international victory over Ireland, their first in Dublin since 2003.