These days, Martin Johnson rarely feels the need to stick his head above the parapet. He is happier riding his bike around the Leicestershire countryside than seeking the spotlight, so when he does have something to say it is usually worth listening.
What does he think about Sky Sports taking… ‘Terrible,’ he interjects, before the question has ended.
With the same authority as his performances in 2003, England’s World Cup winning captain shoots down the prospect of Sky Sports taking over the Six Nations broadcast rights in an instant.
World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson says the Six Nations should stay on terrestrial TV
Sky are leading the way for broadcast rights to the Six Nations from 2022 onwards
‘The Six Nations has got to be on terrestrial TV,’ he adds. ‘I have a lot of friends who don’t watch any other rugby but they love the Six Nations. It’s part of their sporting calendar. There are certain things that are very traditional, that people have watched all their lives.
‘It would be disastrous to take the Six Nations off terrestrial TV. There would be very little rugby left on terrestrial TV. You get big viewing figures for these games — millions of people.’
The BBC coverage of France versus England on the opening weekend peaked at seven million viewers. In contrast, Sky Sports struggle to reach an audience of one million for their annual coverage of the autumn internationals.
A motion to keep the Six Nations on free-to-air TV was tabled in Parliament on Monday and Johnson believes the sport would lose future generations of fans if the move goes ahead.
‘The TV coverage of the Six Nations is the first thing that got me into rugby,’ he adds. ‘It’s a massive shop window. My first memories are watching rugby on TV when I was eight.
Martin Johnson won the Six Nations, aired on terrestrial TV, in 2003 as England captain
‘It’s the same now with my little boy. You figure out who all the teams are and who all the players are. You could feel the atmosphere coming out of the TV and you thought, “Oh my goodness, what’s this?” It was gladiatorial. There is something very emotive about it that just grabs you.
‘They were more than just games — they were massive occasions and they still are. People build their weekend around it. Club rugby wasn’t like that. It didn’t have the same energy and excitement. To put the Six Nations on satellite TV would be a huge mistake.’
Such proposals have been fuelled following investment in the game by private equity firm CVC. Profiteers are looking at ways of shaking up the existing structure to seek cash returns.
It has been mooted that world champions South Africa could join the Six Nations
While talk of promotion and relegation to reach out to the likes of Georgia has been going on for years, the latest suggestion is for South Africa to be fast-tracked at their expense.
‘The Six Nations is a European tournament,’ said Johnson. ‘Why change things that work? The Six Nations works and people love it. They love the tradition of it. There’s always someone wanting to change things.
‘Maybe it’s money. South Africa joining? I don’t think it works. It’s a European tournament and we play South Africa every year.’
As far as matters go on the pitch, Johnson believes England must find more consistency if they want to knock South Africa off their perch as the world’s No 1 team.
England surprisingly lost their Six Nations opener after a poor display against France in Paris
They can play very, very well to beat anyone, but they’re also capable of poor performances. God knows why.
Martin Johnson ON ENGLAND
‘England can play very, very well to beat anyone but they’re also capable of poor performances,’ said Johnson.
‘God knows why. That’s the key question, isn’t it? You don’t play five Test matches a year any more, so you’ve got to be able to get up there 10, 11, 12 times a season.
‘You’ve got to be able to produce performances when you’re mentally or physically a bit jaded. That’s the deal.’
Questions have been raised over whether Eddie Jones is the right man to lead England into another World Cup, but Johnson does not believe there are any suitable candidates to replace him.
Land Rover ambassador Martin Johnson says England need to improve their consistency
He got them to a World Cup final. Who else would you have? If we get rid and go for the next guy, there’s a risk.
Martin Johnson ON EDDIE JONES
‘Eddie is a seasoned international coach,’ he said. ‘He got them to a World Cup final. Like him or not, ultimately he’ll get judged by winning or losing games.
‘If he wins games, I’m a fan. I’ve done his job and it’s difficult. If you win games, great. If they can play near their best every game, then they’ll take some beating. It’s just that inconsistency.
‘Who else would you have? There could be someone out there who is fantastic, but we don’t know. I don’t know if there is anyone out there who could do it. If we get rid and go for the next guy, there’s a risk. It’s a tough call.
Eddie Jones has been questioned as to whether he can lead England into another World Cup
‘By the nature of him, there will be criticism and I’m sure he doesn’t care either way. That’s Eddie being Eddie.
‘He always splits opinion and likes to play around in the press. I’m sure some of it can annoy players a little bit but Clive could be like that, too. When you lose, you cop it and when you win you get some plaudits.
‘He said some things before the France game that came back to haunt him, but there are a million boring interviews out there. I should know — I gave half of them!’
Martin Johnson is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover has been helping rugby fans discover the sport for more than 20 years. Visit LandRover.co.uk