Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel\u00a0<\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n\u201cPeople think when you\u2019ve been there for a long time, when you\u2019ve got to 50 caps or whatever, you\u2019re sitting there and you think you\u2019re undroppable. No one\u2019s undroppable at that level and that\u2019s the way it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to\u00a0The i, Johnson made it clear that this mindset must apply across the board \u2014 including the captain himself.<\/p>\n
When asked directly whether that includes Itoje and the leadership group, Johnson\u2019s response was emphatic:<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one is untouchable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Context: England\u2019s Six Nations struggles<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s comments come in the wake of a hugely disappointing campaign for England in the\u00a0Six Nations Championship.<\/p>\n
Despite opening with a dominant win over Wales, England\u2019s tournament quickly unravelled:<\/p>\n
Defeat to Scotland in the Calcutta Cup<\/p>\n
Heavy home loss against Ireland<\/p>\n
Historic defeat to Italy in Rome<\/p>\n
Narrow but chaotic loss to France<\/p>\n
A fifth-place finish has intensified scrutiny on both the squad and the leadership group, with Itoje at the centre of that conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlay well \u2014 that\u2019s all that matters\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s core message is simple: performance trumps status.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the best thing any player can do? Captain or no captain, it\u2019s play well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than focusing on hierarchy, Johnson emphasised the importance of internal competition \u2014 something he believes England currently lack.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to encourage that, as a player, because the next people coming through, you\u2019ve got to encourage them to say you\u2019ve got to play well and force your way into this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Johnson, a great squad is defined not by established names, but by relentless pressure for places.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s when you\u2019re in a great squad, because it\u2019s super competitive, and that drives everyone on.\u201d<\/p>\n
A warning ahead of the World Cup<\/p>\n
With the next Rugby World Cup fast approaching, Johnson also issued a reminder that reputations count for very little when tournament time arrives.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone right up your backside for selection is the incentive. There are 18 months to go, and there\u2019ll be some guys that we\u2019ve never heard of will turn up and be stars in that tournament\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026and likewise guys we expect to be there who won\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a clear warning shot \u2014 not just to Itoje, but to every England player.<\/p>\n
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