Johnson appoints Rowntree

Rowntree: Assistant coach

Graham is an excellent coach and his knowledge of scrummaging is first rate.

Martin Johnson
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England manager Martin Johnson has continued putting together his backroom staff by appointing Graham Rowntree as his assistant coach.

Rowntree, who played alongside Johnson for England and Leicester, had been working as a coach with the national academy.

The former prop had also worked alongside the Saxons side and the senior team at the World Cup as a specialist scrummaging coach.

And Johnson is relishing the chance of teaming up with Rowntree ahead of the autumn internationals against the Pacific Islanders, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

"Graham is an excellent coach and his knowledge of scrummaging is first rate," said Johnson.

Enjoyable

"I enjoyed playing alongside him during our time at Leicester Tigers and I look forward to working with Graham as a member of the coaching team."

Rowntree will work specifically alongside forwards chief John Wells but will also work with defence coach Mike Ford and attack guru Brian Smith.

And Rowntree can't wait to get stuck into the new role.

"The last year at the RFU has been very enjoyable and I've learned a lot," he said.

"I've gained a lot of experience from working alongside the senior squad and as part of the Academy structure and it has all been invaluable to my development as a coach."