Johnson: Says fall-out is not a true reflection

Johnson, who stood down as team manager last week, launched a passionate defence of his coaching team and his squad in the wake of some fierce player criticism.

Three confidential reports into England's World Cup campaign have been leaked, and the excerpts published in The Times made tough reading for Johnson.

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

"You don't like seeing criticism of people, of yourself, of players.

"Do not take the extreme opinion written in extreme circumstances as fact.

"You are frustrated because what is being reported is not anywhere near the truth of it. From my point of view that is a fact. That is not what happened.

"The fact we have let it get to here is disappointing and the way the game and the team is now being portrayed is damaging.

"Rob (Andrew) said we were rock bottom yesterday 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 reports paint 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 the Rugby Players' Association report, Johnson's coaching team was considered to be out of its depth.

But Johnson insisted the printed opinions are selective and do not represent the true culture of the squad and his management team, and he felt compelled to speak out.

"They are opinions, they are certainly not truths, written in an emotive time for everyone post a tournament," Johnson said.

"The way it has been reported, the imbalance of that report to me is one of the worst things because in that report there is obviously praise for certain parts and certain people.

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

"One of the things they did in difficult circumstances was stick together.

"Sometimes you let things go by but the way it has been reported is so inaccurate I thought I had to come here (and speak out) for the good, not only of the management group and the players but the whole game.

"The saddest thing for me is that it doesn't reflect well on the whole game right now. A lot of the players are horrified at how it has come out and how it is being reported."