News Round-up: The waiting is almost over. It will be announced today that England's captain Martin Johnson is to make a statement on his immediate future at Welford Road on Saturday, when he will officially close the book on an international career spanning 84 caps and 11 years.

Johnson would rather be burned at the stake than stand accused of disrupting Leicester's build-up to their crucial Heineken European Cup home game with Ulster, which, along with a commitment to a Sunday newspaper, helps explain why he has chosen to confirm nothing so far.

"It's been a very difficult decision for him and these things take time," said a spokesman representing Johnson's agent. Club sources, however, say his decision is now set in stone and that he has resisted all efforts to change his mind. Clive Woodward is among those who would prefer Johnson to perform an 11th-hour U-turn, telling his captain at Monday night's rugby writers' dinner in London that he was "looking forward to seeing you at training on February 2nd" when England gather to begin preparations for the forthcoming Six Nations championship.

Having been informed, however, that any player wishing to play in the Six Nations must also make himself available for this summer's tour to New Zealand and Australia, Johnson is more inclined to listen to his body than England's head coach and has arrived at the conclusion that, with the Webb Ellis trophy safely gathered in, the time is right to go.

All involved at Leicester, unsurprisingly, would prefer to draw a line under the saga of Johnson's abdication as swiftly as possible and concentrate on steadying the ship after last Sunday's horrendous 33-0 thrashing by Ulster at Ravenhill.

Meanwhile, South Africa captain Corne Krige has announced his retirement from Test rugby just two months after leading the Springboks during their unsuccessful and controversial World Cup campaign.

Krige is the last figure from the World Cup leadership circle to leave the side, following the resignation of coach Rudolf Straeuli, managing director Rian Oberholzer and the dismissal of assistant coaches Rudy Joubert and Gert Smal. He will continue to play Super 12 and Currie Cup rugby this year.

Krige had hinted before the World Cup that he was thinking of quitting, but announced the decision yesterday.