England flanker Tom Croft has hit out at critics of England rugby coach Martin Johnson, labelling questions over his future 'disgusting'.

Johnson's team had a disappointing World Cup campaign in New Zealand, with their assault on the sport's biggest prize plagued by off-field indiscretions and eventually ended by a 19-12 loss to France in the quarter-finals.

Johnson – who led England to the 2003 World Cup as captain – took over in April 2008, and with his contract expiring at the end of the year the 41-year-old has until Monday to decide whether to re-apply for his job.

Croft believes people critical of Johnson are off the mark and will be disappointed if the does not decide to stay on.

"The fact people are questioning Johnno being manager is pretty disgusting," Croft told BBC Radio Leicester.

"I think he is the ideal man for the job. I don't think any other team in the world has such a prominent figurehead. Hopefully he will decide to stick with the job."

However, former England skipper Will Carling said he doubts Johnson will put his hand up again.

"Johnno is all about winning," Carling said.

"He was an incredible player, he was an incredible captain, and if you sit down and assess the last three and a half years, has it been good enough?"

"Have England progressed far enough? Personally, I don't think they have."

"I don't know if Johnno will put himself up again, whether he will actually even put his name in the hat."

"I personally think that even he would be hard-pushed to say the coaching team should stay."

 

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