• England v South Africa

Johnson adamant his side are not world beaters yet

Martin Johnson has poured scorn on claims that his England side are almost the finished article, insisting that they are "in no way anyway near" to achieving that status.

England clash with South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday, aiming for a third win of an encouraging autumn series. However, with many now lauding Johnson and his young squad, the former England captain laughed off the fickle nature of the media and insisted he is refusing to get carried away.

"I get a little bit concerned when people start talking about being the finished article," he said. "Two weeks ago everyone was talking about Australia and three days later they'd lost two games and suddenly the world's turned upside down.

"In no way are we anywhere near the finished article - I don't think you ever are the finished article. There's a lot of young players, look at the amount of caps we had on the field last week [against Samoa], we bring some experience back with Mike [Tindall] and Lewis [Moody] but the great thing for us is every week it's something new and something to get better from. The experience the guys get from it is all new.

"Every week is a different challenge, and we have to handle it with the intensity you need at Test match rugby."

The Springboks have endured a difficult tour, with two players failing drugs tests and a narrow loss at the hands of Scotland at Murrayfield. But Johnson has told his team to beware a wounded South Africa side.

"It's another big game, they're coming off a loss," he said. "We've got to concentrate on ourselves but we know we're going to have to play at a very high level. It's going to be very physical, intense and it will be a great Test match."

Matt Banahan's inclusion among the replacements means Delon Armitage drops out of the matchday 22 but Johnson says his omission is a reflection of the team's good form rather than his own failings.

"Delon is very much part of our squad going forward and into the World Cup, he's a Test match player but it's a very competitive team to get into at the moment, especially in the back three," he said.

"He would obviously like more time to play and a chance to start but it hasn't quite happened for him. It's no reflection on his form; he's actually been playing very well for his club. It's a positive sign for us and where we are as a team. The back three guys have played very well. He needs to go back and play and continue his good form and take his chances when they come."

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