If the Wallabies' scrum seems under pressure, spare a thought for England coach Martin Johnson.

The 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning England captain is staring down the barrel of the side's worst run since 2006, the year former coach Andy Robinson was sacked.

England have won just one of their past six Test matches and a loss to Australia at Twickenham this weekend would have them on their worst streak since Robinson's side lost eight of nine.

The English plunged to seventh in the IRB rankings in 2006, but at least Johnson was able to claim a minor victory this week when his side went up a notch to currently sit at No.5.

The rise came despite England's 26-16 loss to New Zealand last weekend and because of Ireland's narrow loss to South Africa.

Johnson, who is backing a young England side in their final home international season before next year's World Cup, was quick to hose down suggestions that a win in Saturday's clash with in-form Australia was critical.

"I don't know if it's pivotal, this week," Johnson said.

"It's really important that we go and perform consistently where we can.

"If you go and play somewhere near your best and they get it on you, as the All Blacks could, it's not great but it's one thing.

"If you think we made it comfortable for them at times, too comfortable for them, too easy for them at times by what we did then you're annoyed."

The 40-year-old controversially replaced Brian Ashton, who had taken England to the 2007 World Cup final, in July 2008.

He is contracted until the end of 2011.

Johnson's guru status in English rugby circles prompted local media to quiz him about his similarities to former Super Rugby supercoach Robbie Deans, also hired to lift a nation out of the mire.

"We're both in charge of international teams and when we lose we get a load of crap," Johnson said.

"He's had a very young team for a bit longer ... Our guys probably came through towards the end of lastseason.

"When you see international coaches you have a little bit of empathy for the position they're in.

"You have a bit of a bitch about the media together."

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