Toby Flood kicked England’s only points of the first-half as they went into the break 17-3 behind and Johnson bemoaned his players’ lack of focus from the first whistle.

"I am encouraged and frustrated," said Johnson after the Twickenham defeat.

"At the end we were far better but that first Test syndrome we have suffered historically was there.

"What cost us in the end was an inability to start at the same pace and tempo they did.

"You can't replicate the tempo and physicality of Test rugby in training, much as we'd like to.

“We were rusty in all areas early on and that is going to hurt you - 14-0 is not a great place to be.

"To get back from that position and give ourselves a good shot was good but it comes down to scoring when you get the opportunities."

"We created more opportunities than we had done in the last two games combined against this team.

"They haven't conceded a try in Europe for a couple of years and we probably should have scored another one."