Six Nations 2013: England must replicate All Blacks display – Johnson
Six Nations 2013: Exeter's Tom Johnson says England must continue the momentum gained from beating the All Blacks
Tom Johnson believes England need to replicate their performance from November’s famous victory over New Zealand when the Six Nations starts next month.
The Exeter Chiefs flanker made his Red Rose debut in their tour of South Africa last summer, but did not feature for Stuart Lancaster’s side in their emphatic 38-21 victory over the All Blacks at Twickenham.
However, the England head coach has included the Dusseldorf-born forward in his 33-man squad for next month’s tournament, which sees the Red Rose kick-off their campaign against Scotland on 2 February.
“We felt the win was coming over those four games and to get one over New Zealand really drove us on,” he told BBC Sport.
“We need to kick on in camp and hit the ground running for the Six Nations.”
Johnson started all three of England’s games in their tour of South Africa last summer, while also appearing against Fiji and the Springboks in the autumn.
The 30-year-old, capped just five times by England, knows his place in the starting line-up is far from assured, but wants to be in contention for a spot in Lancaster’s 15-man team come February.
“It’s definitely an aim of mine to be in and around that England squad and to be named in it again is really pleasing,” Johnson added.
“A lot of rugby fans just watch the Six Nations so to be involved in the build-up to it and squad is going to be great.
“I’ve never faced any of the Six Nations teams before. It’s always been the premier competition in the northern hemisphere and something I’ve always watched since I can first remember.”
