LONDON (AFP) - England hope appointing Martin Johnson as their new team manager will lead to a "fresh approach" after one of rugby's worst kept secrets finally became public knowledge.

The 2003 World Cup-winning captain, who has no senior coaching experience, replaces former head coach Brian Ashton, who took England to the final of last year's World Cup and then, last month, to second place in the Six Nations - their best placing in the tournament for five years.

Johnson, whose contract runs until after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, will not take up his new post until July 1.

The former Leicester Tigers lock ill miss England's two-tests away to the All Blacks in June because the 38-year-old's wife is expecting the couple's second child at that time.

Instead Rob Andrew, the director of elite rugby at the Rugby Football Union and the man who recommended Johnson should be given full management, coaching and selectorial control, will be England's team manager in New Zealand as well as when they play the Barbarians at Twickenham on July 1.

Meanwhile Ashton has been offered his old job of national academy director. Even his harshest critics accept the 61-year-old is an excellent coach of young players, having brought on the likes of gifted rising stars Danny Cipriani and James Haskell when first in charge at the academy.

But whether the patriotic Ashton, who has maintained a dignified silence whilst the RFU, who once promised him he would have the manager of his choice and let him continue after the World Cup, went after Johnson will accept what effectively constitutes a demotion remains to be seen.

For all the RFU's talk of a new start, one thing has remained constant. Just as Ashton inherited forwards coach John Wells and defence specialist Mike Ford when taking over following the unsuccessful reign of Andy Robinson before last year's Six Nations, so has Johnson inherited the same backroom duo.

He has though been given the scope to appoint a new coach - likely to be a backs expert as this was Ashton's area of expertise - with his former England team-mate Mike Catt a leading candidate.

Wells and Ford, together with kicking specialist, will join ex-England outside-half Andrew in New Zealand.

"It is a great honour for for me to be offered this position," said the 84-times capped Johnson said Wednesday. "I am passionate about the England team and delivering success for it.

"While I cannot take up my position until July 1 for personal reasons, I will be working closely with Rob and the England coaching team on selection for the Barbarians match and the New Zealand tour.

"This will be as well as selecting the first senior elite player squad of 32 under the new agreement between the RFU and Premier Rugby."

Andrew added: "I am delighted Martin is joining the England structure as team manager. He will bring a new and fresh approach to team development and preparation in his own inimitable style."

And RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "Martin Johnson's appointment will greatly strengthen the England team management and coaching structure.

"Martin has the freedom and the budget to recruit additional coaching resource, and make other changes to the England set-up to build a team that will consistently challenge for the major international tournaments."

Since retiring as a player three years ago, Johnson has concentrated on media and corporate work.

As a player, he not only won the World Cup and a Six Nations Grand Slam but also collected numerous domestic and European honours with Leicester.

The only man to captain the Lions twice, he also developed a deserved reputation as a shrewd on-field tactician with the ability to work out when England needed to change their gamne plan when they were in a tight spot.

Now the RFU hope such qualities will transfer to the other side of the touchline although the history of sport is littered with examples of great players who never became great coaches.