• Rewind to 2003

We back down for nobody...

Martin Johnson labelled the confusion over where the England team stood prior to kick-off a 'fuss about nothing' © Getty Images

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On Saturday, England will attempt to put their eight-year Grand Slam itch behind them on the very same ground that they last confirmed their dominance of the northern hemisphere. Ireland are the team standing in England's way, and Martin Johnson - more so than ever - can tell his players to follow his example...

If Martin Johnson the player was an inspiration, Martin Johnson the coach has been an effective insomnia remedy... at least, that is, when he finds himself in the public glare. A quick glance at his post-match interview after last week's stubborn victory over Scotland provides just one example of his concise approach, with the England boss straight-batting the suggestion that his side should win the Six Nations even if they lose in Ireland this weekend, due to their superior points difference over nearest challengers Wales.

"All we are doing is trying to win games," came Johnson's poetically stunted reply.

Johnson appears in a popular framed photo inside Twickenham's official shop, where he is shown simultaneously gripping two props by the throat when playing for the British & Irish Lions. This weekend he has the chance to inspire one monumental effort to help England win their first Grand Slam since 2003.

Based on his clichéd media persona, you can imagine Saturday's team-talk in Dublin will go something like: "Hold your ground out there lads, never take a backward step, don't get pushed around and back down to nobody."

Certainly Johnson demands nothing less. He expects it now and he expected it back in 2003 - so much so that the IRFU later wrote to the RFU asking for an apology for Johnson's actions prior to kick-off on that blustery day at Lansdowne Road. Back then Johnno was England skipper, a man who set the tone for every unbreakable England performance during a year that ended in Rugby World Cup glory. What Johnson said and did was the rule, and nobody could challenge his authority, not even the president of Ireland.

Johnson's mind had been so focused on the job that day that he mistakenly led the England team out to line up where the Irish players were supposed to stand. Then came the hosts, led by Brian O'Driscoll, standing on the same area of the pitch (after all, that was their designated spot for the anthems), meaning president Mary McAleese would have to leave the traditional red carpet, dirty her shoes on the grass and greet the English players.

Officials attempted to force the visitors into an embarrassing rearrangement, but this was a rugby match, and England matches at that time were governed by one man. Johnson had none of it, standing by his principles of 'holding your ground' and 'never taking a backward step', so president McAleese was the one forced into a change of plan.

"Martin Johnson's refusal to move and line up on the other side of the halfway line against Ireland in Dublin eight years ago epitomised our attitude going into that Grand Slam match," wrote Jason Leonard for the London Evening Standard.

"It wasn't pre-planned and that is a question every Irishman asks me because they believe we were playing mind games. We signalled our intent and were not going to move; Johnno wasn't going anywhere and that was the attitude of the team."

The IRFU later issued an apology to McAleese for the "embarrassing position" she was placed in. The English team had failed to "follow established and communicated protocol". IRFU president Dan Crowley expressed his "concern and unhappiness" to the RFU, which was forced to apologise. Johnson did not care, for his team were en route to becoming Grand Slam champions.

"With due respect to the Irish president, people don't come here to watch the presentations," he said. "They come here to watch a game of rugby. It's all a fuss about nothing".

England had missed out on a Grand Slam at the final hurdle in the three previous seasons and had not completed a clean sweep since 1995. Ireland, who also could have won the Slam that day, had waited considerably longer (55 years), but Johnson had laid down his marker - anybody wishing to argue would have to forcefully remove them.

The scoreline, for a match of such magnitude, proved even more embarrassing for Ireland than the presedential mix-up. England, after a slow start, tore into their rivals for a comprehensive 42-6 victory.

England proved far too strong for Ireland © Getty Images

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This was an England side fine-tuned to a ridiculous degree by coach Clive Woodward, a man who changed English rugby's infrastructure, whose attention to detail was such that he demanded eye tests for his players on the small chance that he could improve an individual's accuracy.

The starting XV itself was crammed with leaders. Johnson was the General, but he had plenty of Lieutenants in the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back, Richard Hill, Leonard and Mike Tindall. England went to battle as a unit, and Dallaglio struck the first blow, capitalising on Matt Dawson's break for a half-time lead.

When Will Greenwood took centre stage to create England's second try and then score their third and fourth, the only Englishman not smiling was the focused Johnson. Even when he lifted the World Cup months later, his manner was better described by the phrase "job done" than any other. Johnson's work in the line-out was flawless all afternoon, setting the foundation for victory on a practical level that he had earlier rubber-stamped psychologically with his refusal to budge prior to kick-off.

When Dan Luger crossed for the game's fifth try, England had chalked up 29 unanswered points, conceding just six all afternoon. The final word was left to Johnson, who momentarily let his guard slip to comment: "It's a credit to our players and coaches. We have finally got it."

If England's players are afforded such stunted praise from Johnson the coach this weekend, they will know it is mission accomplished.

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