SO THERE is one final piece of Johnno’s Jigsaw to find. He is now looking for an attack coach, and talking the talk about getting the right man. He’s even talking about installing his new man high in the hierarchy, with real authority and a real role.

Can you imagine a more brilliant job, at a more fitting time? Since the departure of Sir Clive Woodward, England’s backs have never really functioned as they should. There have been injuries, but the talent has been wasted. And look at the talent now at the disposal of the lucky man. We have seen some outstanding young men emerging in the Guinness Premiership, and Gloucester, Harlequins, London Irish, Wasps, Bath and even struggling Newcastle are brimming with brilliant backs.

It has always been difficult to read Martin Johnson’s mind but it seems that the contenders are Mike Catt, currently of London Irish; Pat Howard, formerly of Leicester and living back in Australia; and Austin Healey, the former Leicester maverick now working in the media. And I would throw in another name from the left field in Will Greenwood, also having jumped the fence into the media. For me, he would be an outstanding operator.

A backs coach has to challenge the minds of the players, bring them out of their shells and let them see the light. In these days when defences are so beautifully organised, his role is even more vital. The easiest option is for a player to rely on the coach for all the information, and for the coach to try to give him all that information. Too many coaches tell their charges where and when they should run, pass or kick, and many teams appear to follow this hidebound and strait-laced philosophy. Very sad. I cannot imagine enjoying my rugby in such a structured and stifling environment, trying to play without challenge or development or free thinking.

It is not about telling players anything new. It is about tailoring and fine-tuning the talents they already have, opening their eyes to the possibilities and vision on the field.

For me, Catt fits the bill best, and I say this even though nobody has yet stepped off the Test field directly into an international coaching job and made a success of it. He had what I consider an outstanding apprenticeship at Bath, particularly when he first arrived from South Africa and learned the basics from that successful team, and in their simplest form. Forwards win the ball, backs run hard, pass accurately and support.

Catt’s playing career was a little bumpy, but with far more highs than lows. I first met him when he came to Bath and there was no indication he would become so successful at coaching. He played the game with a complete understanding and with a huge amount of natural talent, but he found it difficult to express a vision in words. Sometimes it works like that, and people to whom the game comes easy find it difficult to coach.

Catt, however, seems to have got the perfect balance because he has played a huge part in setting London Irish free and transforming them from practically the stodgiest team in the Premiership into one of the most attractive.

Most people would probably believe that Healey lacks the intelligence to coach. Not so. He had flair and imagination, was extremely clever and, having played in all positions in the back division, understands the requirements. He was never afraid to take a risk, but does lack any form of real coaching experience. Johnson is a rookie, and it is unlikely that you could have two rookies at the top of the hierarchy.

Howard is unlikely to want the job.

He has already been a head coach at Leicester and probably, like Brian Ashton, would not wish to continue his career as an assistant. The news from Australia is that he does not want to uproot himself so soon after returning.

Greenwood can talk a good game, and he proved throughout a brilliant career that he could play one too. His value to the likes of Danny Cipriani and Co would be in putting across those little intricacies in the art of opening up defences. Let us emphasise again that these young guns have heaps of ammunition, and it is only fine-tuning that is required. It will be a key appointment, one which Johnson cannot get wrong, but who would not fancy a crack at it?