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Johnson: England can win 2019 RWC

Cape Town - Former England captain and coach Martin Johnson believes the current team can go on to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Johnson - who captained England to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003 - said Eddie Jones' men are building a level of experience which could see them emulate his team of the early 2000s.

England face the Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday and a win will equal the record 14-match winning streak set by Johnson's men.

“We had a very experienced team at that point," said Johnson. 

"You've got a group now who have been around for a couple of World Cups, and have got a lot of caps."

Players like captain Dylan Hartley and scrumhalf Ben Youngs are key cogs in the England team, Johnson believes.

“(They) have 50 caps-plus, so they are getting into the part of their careers when they are at their peak. We still need more players to come through and really hit that world-class level, and when you have a squad of 20-plus guys like that, you have a chance to really do something."

Johnson, 46, played 84 Tests for England between 1993 and 2003 and also coached the team between 2008 and 2011.

While, Johnson backs England for the next World Cup, local bookmakers, Sportingbet.co.za, have them as second-favourites (9/2) behind New Zealand, who can be backed at 6/5 odds to win a third World Cup in a row.

The Wallabies are third favourites (11/2), followed by South Africa (6/1).

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