England Rugby Boss Martin Johnson Quits

Martin Johnson has quit as the manager of England's rugby union team after a disastrous World Cup, which was marred by controversy off the field.

Speaking at a news conference at Twickenham, he said: "I won't be renewing my contract at the end of December.

"It's not a decision I have come to quickly or easily but I think it's the right decision. It's not a knee-jerk reaction. It's a considered, thoughtful decision that I have come to."

He added: "I have always had England rugby's best interests at heart."

Johnson, 41, had held the post for three-and-a-half years and lifted the trophy in 2003 when he was captain.

England were dumped out of this year's competition in the quarter-finals by eventual finalists France.

But their off-field behaviour in New Zealand attracted the most headlines.

Johnson admitted: "The off the field things during the World Cup didn't help." He said it portrayed the team "in a bad light but not an accurate light".

He went on: "But we gave people the opportunity to report things as they did. I don't know about being let down. Of course it didn't help, we didn't want that reputation.

"I warned the players if they open door slightly it will get fully opened. They did that. How that affected performances on field no one can answer."

Senior player Mike Tindall was fined £25,000 and removed from England's elite player squad for his conduct relating to a night out in Queenstown.

Johnson had defended Tindall, who was forced to apologise for misleading the England management as to his movements that night.

Tindall has indicated his intention to appeal, while James Haskell and Chris Ashton were both hit with suspended £5,000 fines for an incident at the team hotel. The pair allegedly made "inappropriate" remarks to a female member of staff in Dunedin.

Even when England were out of the tournament they still courted controversy with Manu Tuilagi detained by Auckland police and fined by the RFU for jumping off a ferry into the harbour.

On the field, England fell short of their goal of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.

Johnson has resigned on the eve of a wide-ranging review into England's campaign.

The highlights of Johnson's 38-Test tenure came with England's first Six Nations title since 2003 and their back-to-back victories over Australia in 2010.

Johnson's overall record since he took hands-on control for the 2008 autumn internationals was 21 victories, 16 defeats and one draw. He was contracted until the end of December.

The RFU must act fast to identify a replacement, with the Six Nations looming in February. England are required to name an elite squad in the first week of January.

RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew said of Johnson: "I would like to place on record my personal thanks of the work Johnno has put into England in the last three years.

"When you work with someone you realise the effort they put in and he's worked tirelessly to move the team forward."

Andrew denied he would follow Johnson by quitting his post, adding: "No I'm absolutely not considering resigning.

"In terms of the department and the structure of the professional game - that's my role in this. My job is to run the department, not just the playing side of things."