You could argue that Johnson had his "tour from hell" moment in the autumn of 2009, when player after player dropped out of his autumn squad with injury and the southern hemisphere feasted on English bones.
After hanging in through an injury-plagued autumn they are getting players back fresh and eager and since the new year their record reads: played 20, won 14 and lost only four.
An official at one of Japan's top traders in rare earths, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that because government offices in Beijing, including the customs headquarters, were closed Wednesday through Friday for the Chinese autumn equinox holiday, industry players were still unsure whether the halt in exports was the start of a longer embargo.
Hi Jerry, after the autumn internationals which English players have cemented their place in the starting XV come the Six Nations?
Asked if he had changed his opinion on midfield matters in the light of the November Tests, he said: "I was pleased with the players in the autumn.
Joe Marler was one of his side's most consistent players of the autumn, with Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola and Matt Mullan now queueing behind him.
He has been one of the players of the autumn – to go from the centre to being an international-class hooker in the space of five years is remarkable.
"He will be missed through the autumn, although we have talented players ready to step forward".
Worcester Warriors boss Dean Ryan is hoping that he may still have use of some of his Argentine players despite the autumn international season hotting up over the next three weeks.
England have called up three uncapped players for the autumn internationals in Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni, Saracens second row George Kruis and Northampton flanker Calum Clark.
Halfpenny's injury is one of a large number sustained by Wales squad players during the autumn campaign, with lock Luke Charteris joining the injury list on Saturday.
