Martin Johnson has reiterated his determination not to make any rash decision over his international future.

The 33-year-old England captain has won every honour in the game following the World Cup triumph over Australia, prompting some observers - including Newcastle Falcons chief Rob Andrew - to suggest that now the time is right for him to bow out.

But Johnson revealed that coach Clive Woodward had slapped a ban on any retirement announcements in the aftermath of the tournament and the Leicester forward is happy to give the matter further consideration.

''People have been asking me for the last 18 months when will I retire. I've told them all along that I would not be thinking about retiring before a World Cup,'' said Johnson.

''Clive was right when he said he didn't want anyone talking about quitting during or immediately after the World Cup. He said to those of us who are getting on a bit that we must fend off questions about it.

''It's not right to make a decision like that now - there are a lot of emotions flying around. We've just won the World Cup so it's the wrong time to make a decision, just like if we'd been knocked out in the quarters or the semis.

''We need time to reflect and speak to the coaches and our family. No one wants to stop playing for England, especially when you're winning. It's a decision which each player has to make for themselves. I'll do it when the time is right.''

Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson may have taken most of the plaudits in the wake of England's 20-17 triumph in Sydney, but the Tigers lock lavished praise on the whole World Cup party.

''We would have been happy to beat anyone in the final. People were calling us favourites but we'd only ever beaten Australia once over there and that was in June. It was an amazing achievement to win,'' he said.

''Everyone in the squad deserves credit. There's been a lot of talk about certain players and that's right but the whole squad played their part.

''There was Lewis Moody's charge down against South Africa, Iain Balshaw's try against Samoa, Kyran Bracken for the way he played against South Africa - every member of the squad did their bit even if they didn't play in the final.''

At Heathrow Airport yesterday morning England's players were greeted by thousands of jubilant fans anxious to give their heroes a fitting welcome and Johnson described the whole experience as ''very humbling''.

''When you're away in the World Cup it's great to have a mountain of support. But you also just want to cocoon yourself a little bit and get ready for the Test matches.

''You almost try to deny the size of the occasion so that you can play and win the match. When we left the stadium after the final we wondered what was going on back home - we had no idea.

''But to see all those fans and the reception we were given was very humbling and something we'll never forget.''

England fans basking in the glory of their side's heroics Down Under have been given another reason to celebrate - Woodward wants to deliver further World Cup glory. The ambition of Woodward has transformed England from perennial underachievers to world champions.

But the coach, contracted to guide the national side through the 2007 World Cup, is not finished yet as he plots to lead English rugby into its ''golden age''.

''We set out a few years ago to become the No 1 team in the world. The only way you can say that is if you've got the World Cup sitting with you and we have that,'' said Woodward.

''But it's not the end of it for us - it's just a good staging post and I really hope it all kicks on now to a real golden age of English rugby.''

Woodward dismissed a report that he had been approached by the FA with a view to steering England to similar success on the football field - and then insisted even his current position is not entirely safe.

''My job is coaching the England rugby team. I've recently signed a new contract and I'm looking forward to seeing that. Being a professional coach in any sport is a precarious job - it's all about the next game and that's it,'' he said.

* Ben Cohen has revealed how he met up with his uncle and 1966 World Cup-winner George to celebrate England's triumph.

Ben lined up on the wing against Australia, while George was right-back in Sir Alf Ramsey's all-conquering football team which lifted the Jules Rimet trophy 37 years ago.

The duo are the only Englishmen of the same family to have won a World Cup.

''I did see my uncle briefly before the final on Friday night for a cup of tea and a chat, but we didn't really talk a lot about it. He just wished me luck and he went on his way,'' he said. ''But I met up with him after the Australia game with my wife, mum and cousin - and we had a good chat. He told me a lot of the old stories which he loves to do.

''It feels fantastic to have won. It's great to emulate what my uncle achieved, and to do it in a different sport. To win the World Cup is brilliant, and I'm still feeling the effects now.'