Martin Johnson will remain the figurehead of the England Test side © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Martin Johnson | John Steele

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: England

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has watered down the role of their new performance director, leaving Martin Johnson as the figurehead of the England Test side.

The performance director had initially been slated to oversee the game in England from the senior Test squad down to age-group level, but the RFU board has now agreed to revise the job description, removing all direct influence over the senior team and capping involvement at Saxons level.

Johnson will report directly to the RFU's chief executive, John Steele, and not the new performance director, at least until the situation is reviewed after the World Cup. All three shortlisted candidates for the post have been informed of the revised responsibilities and the RFU hope to complete their appointment by the end of May.

"With the Rugby World Cup starting in the autumn and the positive development of the senior team so far, the RFU board is keen not to upset the momentum established," an RFU statement read.

"It has therefore approved a change to the job description for the role. The changed job description...removes the senior team and its management from the performance director responsibilities.

"It caps their involvement at England Saxons level to reinforce the point that this is about talent development up through the men and women's age group teams and about defining a long term performance strategy."

By reducing the sphere of influence, the RFU have ensured that Johnson's wings will not be clipped by the new appointment. The three candidates for the performance role will be interviewed this month based on the new brief and Sir Clive Woodward, currently performance director at the British Olympic Association, has been strongly tipped for the role from the outset.