Rob Andrew is set to confirm who he wants as England's new team manager when he fronts a specially-convened management board meeting at Twickenham on Wednesday morning.

It would be a significant shock if Andrew does not propose Martin Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, for the newly-created position.

Andrew, England's director of elite rugby, is known to have met with Johnson to discuss the team manager role at least once over the last month.

The Rugby Football Union sanctioned the appointment of a new team manager and a new specialist coach when Andrew delivered his review of the Six Nations last month.

No specific job description was ever drawn up for the team role, following a request for flexibility from Andrew, and that is also set to be outlined on Wednesday.

The RFU management board must still ratify Andrew's proposal and there could potentially be sticking points ahead.

There are senior figures who are desperate for Johnson to be brought in but there are others who remain wary of what he will demand.

Johnson is known to want complete control over the England coaching staff but RFU chief executive Francis Baron warned there will be no mass clearout.

"It is important when someone new comes in they have an opportunity to mould the coaching team going forward. But my management philosophy is evolution not revolution," said Baron.

"There will be no blank cheque."

The RFU also need to tread carefully as Brian Ashton is under contract as head coach, having led England to a World Cup final and their best Six Nations finish in five years.

In December, Andrew confirmed Ashton would get the kind of team manager he wants - someone who can share the managerial and administrative burden but who will not get involved in rugby affairs.

However, the RFU's courting of Johnson suggests the ground has moved following England's inconsistent performances during the Six Nations.

RFU chairman Martyn Thomas said last week: "There are no prizes in life for coming second and the RFU is determined to drive England back to where we believe it should be. Our goal and ambition has to always be number one in the world."

With Johnson unlikely to accept a purely administrative position, Ashton could effectively find himself demoted, having lost his powers of selection and his authority.

Baron insisted last week that Ashton would not be sacked - but he also accepted one or more of the coaching team might find their positions untenable in a new regime.

"We are going to strengthen the management structure aimed at improving the consistency of England's performances going forward," said Baron.

"The coaches have all got to be happy with the new structure. I hope they buy into it and we can move forward together.

"I can't guarantee that. There are some pretty feisty individuals on the coaching team who will express strong views, no doubt.

"Somebody might say 'I don't want to work with this bloke'. It is their call."

One other key issue that would need to be ironed out for Johnson to take the role is his position as one of the clubs' representatives on the new Professional Game Board, which will run elite rugby in England from July 1.

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