Players are not scared of me, says Johnson

England manager Martin Johnson said comments from Lawrence Dallaglio the current squad were so inhibited by their boss's reputation it was retarding the team's progress were a "myth".

Johnson is an iconic figure within English rugby after captaining the side to World Cup glory in 2003.

But former back-row Dallaglio, who played in that victorious team, believes many players within the squad are so in awe of the manager's status they are unwilling to question his decisions, in contrast to the lively discussions Johnson had with then coach Clive Woodward nearly a decade ago.

"England need to be more player-led and less coach-driven," Dallaglio told Tuesday's edition of The Times.

"The challenge for Martin is that he is such an iconic guy they don't want to put their hand up; everyone is so afraid of him. They don't want to say, 'What are you on about'?"

Dallaglio added: "Players need to step up and say 'it is Saturday. Now we are in charge'."

But Johnson told reporters at England's training base yesterday that Dallaglio was wide of the mark.

"I think he's pretty wrong, actually," Johnson, who has presided over eight defeats in 14 Tests in charge since taking charge in 2008, said.

"It takes time for players to find their feet in Test match rugby. You are not going to come into a squad and start challenging people particularly."