RBS 6 Nations

England's reputation was tarnished during the two-Test series against the All Blacks as they compounded their miserable form on the pitch with some controversial behaviour off it.

The Rugby Football Union launched an internal investigation into the post-match events in Auckland on June 14, subsequently fining and reprimanding Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown.

Johnson vowed to address any disciplinary problems when he officially took over as England manager on July 1 and has so far been impressed by the attitude of the players.

“We sat down as a group this week and talked about responsibility and the players led it. We wanted them to lead it,” said the former Lions skipper.

“What the squad has been through can't happen again. The players are aware of that.

“They've been through it so there's no harsher lesson than what they had to endure out there.

“It was clear to all the coaches that the players understood the situation and are very keen to make amends.

“What happened doesn't reflect the calibre of the people in the squad but it's done now and we have to deal with it.

“We've had a couple of really good meetings. That's part of the process of being a team.”

Johnson admitted English rugby could ill-afford a repeat of the shambles in New Zealand as the fallen world champions target a return to winning ways.

“If you can, you need to get guys to take responsibility for themselves but it has to be driven and led by the coaches,” he explained.

“We don't think four days and two meetings makes everything all right. It's an every day process for all these guys and ourselves.

“It's all about being successful and we don't want the headlines we've had this year on a couple of occasions. That makes it difficult for us to operate.

“We're not doing these things to appease the media, we're doing it because we think it's the right way to be a successful team.”

England only have to wait until November 29 for an opportunity to avenge the summer's drubbing by the All Blacks when they play the last of four autumn Tests.

The Pacific Islanders, Australia and South Africa also await in a gruelling November schedule that Johnson insisted England must use as a statement of intent.

“The score is the score, that's what counts and that's where we are,” he added.

“We can sit here and say we think we can do this and we think we can do that, but we've got to prove it on the field.

“Some guys came back off the New Zealand tour and found it difficult, especially with all the changes that were made to the team.

“But there are no excuses. We have a tough autumn but we're genuinely looking forward to the challenge.”