Johnson's England role uncertain as he seeks total control

Martin Johnson remains undecided about taking up an offer to become England's new team manager in a move that could see the existing coaching team dismantled.

Johnson has until tomorrow morning to give Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director, his final verdict on the job offer which is far from clear-cut.

The former Lions and England captain is understood to be less enthusiastic about helping the national cause following last week's discussions with Andrew.

Suggestions that Johnson would come in with the power to hire and fire the coaches appear overstated. Johnson arrived at his meeting with Andrew with an open mind. However, his change of heart was based on the belief the RFU were ready to hand control of the national team over to a manager who had real power.

However, Andrew, who is returning from a holiday to attend tomorrow's RFU management board meeting, had already given Brian Ashton a firm undertaking that the final say on who would become team manager rested with the head coach.

Ashton would walk if he is given a manager he could not work with, while Johnson is nobody's nodding dog. Ashton has a contract that runs until 2011, with opt-out clauses on both sides, but that would still involve a substantial pay-off if he was forced out.