Johnson: Demanding test in Cardiff

The Cardiff Test will come seven days after England won the first match 23-19, with Johnson frustrated with how England fell off the pace in the final half an hour at Twickenham.

Wales mounted a late comeback as a result but ahead of England's appearance on the biggest stage of all, Johnson knows that lessons are more important than results now.

Last week, Johnson spent an evening with Andy Flower, whose England cricket team are on course to become the number one Test team in the world.

Johnson watched on Friday as England's cricketers once more dominated India in the third Test at Edgbaston and has called for his men to do something similar at the weekend.

"If we score 600 (points), that might be nice," Johnson said.

"We all enjoy sport so it's good to see them playing well. They are performing in Test matches, which is what we also want to do.

"It's all about performing to your best."

England head back to the Millennium Stadium this weekend, having faced down a hostile atmosphere when they last played there in February to open their Six Nations title campaign with a first tournament win in Cardiff since 2003.

The atmosphere was highly-charged that night, fuelled by Ben Foden's comments that Wales were England's "little brother".

Johnson will address his players before kick-off on the need to treat Saturday's game with the same intensity - regardless of their reception.

"We helped them come back last week. Tomorrow's test will be equally if not more demanding," said Johnson.

"These games are slightly different to normal in the context and the build-up because there are World Cup places up for grabs.

"But when the players take the field they understand the importance of the game and are focusing on a big Test match."

Chris Ashton, who hopes to recover from a rolled ankle to start on the wing, said he would rather play in a similar atmosphere.

England won the Six Nations title but missed out on the Grand Slam after being overwhelmed by Ireland in their final match in Dublin.

Ashton believes England have learned from that - but any experience of playing when the pressure is on, when everything is against them, is a good experience heading into the World Cup.

"Towards the end of the Six Nations, when the pressure built on us, we started to tighten up and you play differently to how we started the tournament," said Ashton.

"You start to do things differently - Ireland are on top and you haven't been in that position before. As quite a young team, it was a whole new experience. Maybe the pressure did get to a few people.

"But it is all experience. We have realised we did that and learned from it.

"Hopefully now we have a get-out plan and are able to change, not always stick to route one. This is another chance to practice putting those things right.

"You want a hostile environment. These are Test matches, they are not friendlies. I am sure Wales will be looking to improve on last week and play better. We will be doing the same.

"The more pressure we are put under this week the better it will be for us.

"Pressure helps everyone to play their best."