Ball swapping 'a mistake' says Johnson

England manager Martin Johnson says he regrets the ball swapping controversy that has been making headlines as his team prepare for Saturday's crucial match against Scotland.

He admitted that England kicking coach Dave Alred and strength and conditioning coach Paul Stridgeon made a mistake in switching the balls used for conversions by Jonny Wilkinson during last weekend's Pool B victory over Romania.

"These guys have made a mistake. It's as simple as that. They've paid for it," Johnson said.

Both men were at England's captain's run at Eden Park on Friday afternoon, but have been suspended for one match by England's Rugby Football Union, which means they will be barred from attending the Scotland clash on Saturday night.

"Paul and David did what they did in the heat and confusion of a Test match," Johnson said.
"They should have asked the referee, we should have asked the referee. We didn't. They asked us to stop. We did.

Regrets

"I don't suspend guys lightly. They're going to miss the game, which is a big blow for them. We regret what we did and it was wrong."

Johnson denied the incident had shifted the team's focus away from the match. England need two points to be sure of reaching the quarter-finals and that would also guarantee them top spot in the pool.

"I wouldn't say it's been a distraction for the players, they've just got on with getting ready for the match," said the England manager.

Johnson downplayed the suspensions, which were welcomed by Rugby World Cup Limited as "decisive and timely".

"If you come to a World Cup there are going to be bumps in the road," he said.