Martin Johnson vowed to take England back to the top of world rugby when he was offically unveiled as the country’s new team manager this afternoon.

England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain  also said he had “huge sympathy” for former head coach Brian Ashton, but also confirmed that Ashton refused to  take a  role in his new coaching set-up.

“My vision is that we should be the competing with the best in the world,” he said. “At times we’ve been doing that, as we did in the World Cup final last year, but at times we haven’t.

“If you watch rugby being played by very young players in the Premiership against some of the best players in the world, it’s just tremendous. Part of the job is to create a culture, a team ethos. It’s not rocket science.

“There is every chance, every possibility we can beat most teams around the world.”

Questioned about the manner of  Ashton’s departure, Johnson said: “It’s a little bit difficult. Brian made it clear he didn’t want to be a No.2 in the set-up. It might be a good idea to bring in some new blood and new ideas. Players do respond to good coaching.

“Of course I have sympathy for Brian, it’s been very tough. I intend to speak to him this week.”