McGeechan: England's off-field incidents would not have happened under Johnson
England's off-field problems in New Zealand would not have happened if Martin Johnson had been with the squad, Lions coach Ian McGeechan has said. Rob Andrew led the squad on their two Test thrashing by the All Blacks as Johnson was back in the UK looking after his heavily-pregnant wife Kay before taking on his post as Team Manager next month.
But McGeechan, the Wasps director of rugby, insists the culture of drinking and womanising that led to the allegations of sexual assault that hang over four of the players would not have occurred under Johnson and vowed there would be no repeat when he leads the Lions to South Africa next year.
"It is important that management and senior players are seen to set a very strong example," said McGeechan.
"Martin knows what it takes to win. He would set an example that just wouldn't allow this environment to develop.
"We have been a professional game for 11 years now and all the things that go with that the players have to take on board.
"The young players sometimes have to be told exactly what is expected of them. Often you have got very strong players in the group who will do that.
"Martin and Lawrence Dallaglio are two I can think of, who would just not have let this happen."
McGeechan continued in an interview on Radio 5 Live: "You have to have a strong code of conduct the players are part of - that is key.
"With the Lions or any group of players you have to respect everything you do on and off the field. That discipline is second to none and it should be better than anything you do at home.
"You respect your team-mate, and also with a Lions tour you become part of a country as you are there for longer.
"So you respect the people of that country and cannot afford to lose that respect. That discipline and that behaviour is important to me, you don't just turn it on when you cross the touchline.
"If you agree it then it's black and white and there are no grey areas. I don't think there's any reason not to say 'this is what we are buying into, what we accept, and if we don't behave that way there will be consequences'."
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