England v Barbarians, Twickenham, May 30
Johnson promises hard-nosed England
Scrum.com
May 28, 2009
England Team Manager Martin Johnson looks on during the match between England and South Africa at Twickenham in London, England on November 22, 2008.
Martin Johnson maintains that winning is everything against the Barbarians © Getty Images
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England manager Martin Johnson has refused to bow to pressure and play champagne rugby against the Barbarians on Saturday. Johnson has named four new faces in his side to face an experienced Baa-Baas outfit - but his experiment still comes second to registering a win.

Johnson dismissed the Barbarians' swashbuckling style and maintained that the fans would be entertained by England's high-intensity approach. The game will serve as a tough workout ahead of England's two Test series against Argentina, staring at Old Trafford on June 6.

"People want to see intense, high-quality rugby. They find that entertaining," said Johnson. "If we start throwing the ball around and go backwards 50 yards, then I don't think people will find it entertaining. If we get over the gainline and create space for people to score, like when we were four tries to the good against France in the Six Nations, people will find that entertaining.

"We want to make good decisions - good decision are good decisions whether you're playing the All Blacks or Barbarians. I watched the Barbarians against England last year and they didn't chuck it all over the place. They were very physical and hard over the ball, making it hard for England to play. If we win quick ball then we have an opportunity to play, if we don't it will be hard to break them down.

"A game is a game and we want to win every match. Yes we want to entertain, but not necessarily in the way many people think of as entertainment. We have to play with intensity or else we'll be smashed back in rucks and mauls and will lose ball."

England World Cup-winner Martin Corry will lead the Barbarians as he bids farewell to Twickenham, and judging by the invitational side's aggressive showing in their narrow loss to Australia last December England will be in for a stern test.

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