Johnson hits back at critics of team's style

Martin Johnson hit out at England's critics on the eve of their daunting clash with Wales by insisting: "We don't have to justify how we play to anyone."

England laboured to a 36-11 win over Italy last week as they again showed they lack the cutting edge and gamewinning players the Grand Slam champions boast.

Team manager Johnson said: "Of course we would like to be No1 in the world. We won last week and we don't have to justify how we play to anyone. Is there an element of showing people they're wrong? I would say 'Yes'.

"I share people's frustration about how we played. But, people were fearing we might lose to Italy and we got a victory. Against Wales we are aiming to go out and play effectively and, in big games like this, fans don't care how we win as long as we do. They would take a one-point victory and be very happy. This is a confident and talented Welsh team and we will find out a lot about ourselves tomorrow."

Johnson denied he was worried by Wales head coach Warren Gatland claiming he had cracked England's lineout calls thanks to the ref-link system which allows fans to hear what's going on during matches.

Gatland last night said Wales had put together a plan to make the most of this inside information.

Johnson said: "It is possible to pick up bits and bobs over the ref link but you change formations and calls game to game and it is a real game of chess out there. We're very confident in our lineout options and, to be honest, it's going to be so noisy it will be difficult to hear what the opposition are saying to each other."