Johnson’s fired up for visit of Auld Enemy

It all points towards a campaign crossroads for both nations and Johnson recalled the last encounter when he ran in Scotland’s final try before the English drew level.

He said: “We have the greatest respect for England because they are so good. You almost hate them for it. Last year was pretty unique. To play a game like that again would be highly unlikely.

“There were some tough memories followed by some of the memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“It was a great occasion. I remember after the game being totally gutted because we should have won but you wouldn’t have thought that after half an hour.

“From our point of view as Scotland players, we were disappointed because the opposition were celebrating the draw. I probably didn’t realise the magnitude of things at the time. I remember sitting on the bench at the end with my head in my hands.

“We were disappointed we had drawn. I was in shock with what I had achieved in scoring the try but I honestly didn’t think I had won the game at that point because Test match rugby is a different animal from everything else.”

The Australian-born centre was brought up just outside Brisbane.

He knew enough about the unpopularity of English sporting teams in his youth, even if he wasn’t conscious of the bitterness with which a Calcutta Cup clash is played out. Johnson said: “I wasn’t aware of the scale of this game when I was growing up.

“What I will say is that no one likes England, it was the same growing up in Australia. Whether it’s cricket, rugby or any sport, you want to win.

“You fully respect England because of how good they are but I don’t think anyone likes them when you’re growing up.”

England boss Jones has faced calls to quit after pre-match boasts of blowing France away with brutality before being beaten up themselves by a young side in Paris.

Johnson admits a backlash could be about to come Scotland’s way.

He said: “France probably shocked them a little bit with the way they played.

“England had a plan to start quickly and get points on the board but France stuck it to them.

“You also have to give credit to their coach Shaun Edwards for creating that new defensive system. I think ours is quite similar now with our defensive coach Steve Tandy.

‘It’s just about matching them at the start of the game and putting them back at the start of the game.

“Eddie has said they rely on their brutality at the start of the game – brutality in general. We need to match that.”