England are fitter than ever, claims Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson says his England squad are the fittest he's had as they prepare for a daunting Autumn Test campaign.

The team manager is delighted by the improvements in the condition of his players, which has been revealed by tests carried out over the last year.

That, along with the summer victory over Australia and the emergence of players such as Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, has left Johnson confident ahead of the November matches against the Wallabies, South Africa, Samoa and New Zealand.

Johnson said: "The guys have tested the best I've seen since I have been here. Some of the guys had world-class statistics a year ago but others who weren't quite there have improved.

"The great thing in the summer was they saw it, they felt it, they played it. Now more of the guys understand what it takes to win at this level."

In the First Test Down Under, Johnson's men were beaten 27-17 but they fought back to level the series 21-20 and claim their first win away to Australia since the 2003 World Cup Final.

Johnson added: "You have to demonstrate to yourself that you can do it.

"Teams will always get points on you because they are good teams but it's coming through that and finding ways to win.

"We had six players in Sydney who made their Test debuts that season, so we have some very young guys who now have a good understanding of what it takes.

"To be close is one thing, but to actually get across the line is a big step. For us success is about lots of little steps, and winning that game in Australia was an important one."