Johnson brushes aside talk of retirement

Martin Johnson today brushed aside talk he was about to retire after Saturday's World Cup final against Australia.

Martin Johnson today brushed aside talk he was about to retire after Saturday's World Cup final against Australia.

At 33, the England captain would become the oldest captain to lift the Webb Ellis trophy if his side beat Australia in the Telstra Stadium.

Johnson was informed by a newspaper journalist that Leicester team-mate Austin Healey had predicted he would not wear the England shirt again.

"We've spoken a lot about rubbish being spoken and the man (Healey) is the king, isn't he?" said Johnson.

"He just wanted to say something and you were the fool who listened to him, with due respect."

PA

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