Johnson wants England to take angst out on Scots March 13, 2010
England coach Martin Johnson has told his players to take out their frustrations on Scotland in Saturday's crucial Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.
Johnson's side are back in action this weekend for the first time since being beaten by Ireland a fortnight ago.
England have lost on their last two visits to Murrayfield, without scoring a try on each occasion, and Johnson knows the struggling Scots will be desperate to inflict another embarrassing defeat on the old enemy.
But the bitter memories of that Ireland loss still linger for Johnson and he wants a reaction in Edinburgh as England try to keep their Six Nations title challenge alive.
"We only had ourselves to blame for the defeat to Ireland. To say we have to improve sounds insignificant, we have to find a way of winning Test matches," Johnson said on Friday.
"You don't like to lose but that is part of the team's experience now. We will be better for the Ireland game. To sit in a losing dressing room after a Test match is not what you do it for, is it?
"It will be a tough Saturday evening if we lose up there. A team needs to have that conscience and that response and think 'right, we are not going to be sat there again'.
"The mindset has to be right tomorrow. We are going away from home. You have got to enjoy that challenge in playing in volatile situations because that is what you get into it for.
"Going away from home and trying to silence hostile crowds is what it is all about. It is like any away ground, the opposition will raise themselves.
"A lot of rugby is about energy, urgency, passion and emotion and we can't come second in that area. Then it comes down to execution and tactical thinking.
"That is the challenge whenever you go away from home, wherever it is.
"In the Six Nations all these games have their own history and the countries have their own history which makes it fun."
Scotland have now lost four successive games following their shock victory over Australia and the pressure is starting to build on boss Andy Robinson, who also coached England for two years.
"They haven't won a game, they are desperate to win. There will be that tension and ferocity around," Johnson said.
"They want to come off to cheers and a big win against England and their first win of the championship. We want to keep the crowd quiet and get our third win. That is the battle."
Robinson added some juice to the pre-match build-up when he accused England of employing illegal American Football-style blockers in attack, while assistant coach Gregor Townsend claimed they lie all over the ball at the breakdown.
But Johnson, a former gridiron player and huge fan of the sport, refused to rise to the bait.
"It is not a very good comparison. In American Football you have a lead blocker and the ball-carrier follows directly behind him," he said.
"All teams use decoy runners. We haven't been penalised for obstruction. Townsend talked about us lying on the ball but we only gave away one penalty at the breakdown against Ireland.
"We are the least penalised team in the championship. We only gave away six penalties against Ireland.
"If you are guilty of an offence the referee will penalise you for it. The referee didn't say anything to me so I don't think it is an issue."
Johnson and Robinson worked closely, as captain and forwards coach, for England in the build-up to the 2003 World Cup triumph and on the 2001 Lions tour.
But Johnson said: "It is not about me and Andy, it is England against Scotland.
"I had four years of being coached by Andy with England. There were lots of good times and some disappointing losses but they were happy days.
"He is as passionate a rugby man as you will find and good luck to him."
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