Martin Johnson named England rugby coach

Updated April 17, 2008 03:53:30

The former English captain Martin Johnson has been appointed as the new coach of England.

Johnson led England to victory in the 2003 World Cup in Australia.

He'll take over from Brian Ashton in July.

He's expected to miss England's two Test tour of New Zealand in June, however, because his wife is expecting to give birth to the couple's second child.

Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby and the man who recommended Johnson for his new post, will be England's team manager in New Zealand.