Courtney Lawes and a fit Joe Launchbury are England’s likely second-row starters at the World Cup but Martin Johnson is adamant there’s still time for Saracens' George Kruis to elbow his way into the starting XV.

Johnson, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for England in 2003, is one of the most accomplished second-rows to have ever played the game and also managed the Red Rose at the World Cup in 2011.

So he’s best placed to know the thoughts running through an England hopeful’s mind with little more than a month to go before the hosts open up their World Cup campaign against Fiji at Twickenham.

With three warm-up games ahead the squad will eventually be pared down to 31 players, and according to Johnson not even the tried and tested partnership of Lawes and Launchbury can rest on their laurels.

The big-hitting Lawes, still only 24, has been a mainstay in England’s starting line-up for two years and Launchbury was a constant by his side before falling foul of a neck injury that has seen him miss out on Test rugby since last June.

But Kruis has featured heavily over the last 12 months and Johnson believes the battle to start is far from over.

“I thought Dave Attwood and George Kruis did well in the Six Nations, whether they’ll beat Lawes and Launchbury in the starting line-up we’ll see – but people have also forgotten all about Geoff Parling,” he said.

“With players back from injury Stuart now has got a broader base of experience there now to pick from, and you’ve got someone else waiting in the wings if you lose one.

“It’ll be competitive and bring the best out of these players if they really know they’ve got to produce.

“None of that group are untouchable, there’s no one you think ‘hey you’re definitely in’, you’ve just got keep yourself fresh for September.

“When guys have been out a long time they find it difficult to make their way back, if you haven’t played for four or five months so he’s got to find his form and get himself physically back in that position.

“The nature of when the tournament is, a lot of these guys haven’t played since May and you’re going to need game time, two games minimum, to have it in your legs before you go in.

“It’ll be all on for kick-off against Fiji, fast and furious, and you don’t want to be caught cold. Every minute of every game is precious.”

When Johnson helped lift the Webb Ellis Cup 12 years ago he had fellow experienced heads all around him – the likes of Jason Robinson, Mike Tindall, Phil Vickery, Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Dawson and Jonny Wilkinson helping to form a tight-knit group.

Ahead of this World Cup things couldn’t be much different with the likes of George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and Billy Vunipola all undoubtedly talented but still relatively fresh when it comes to Test rugby.

But Johnson believes this is no reason for fans to start pushing the panic buttons just yet.

“Inexperience can be a hindrance but you’ve got to rely on those guys who have been to the World Cup before and there have been a few, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, so those guys will need to help out with the group,” Johnson added.

“But sometimes it can help if you’re young and just go in there without as much of a burden.

“We’ve seen in the last two tournaments that teams have got to a final who no one really thought would, and both had a chance to win it – England in 2007 and France in 2011.

“There’s no set way of doing it, Stuart (Lancaster) will pick the best squad for what he thinks will win it at the present moment. You pick your best group and go with it.”

Martin Johnson is a MasterCard Rugby World Cup 2015 brand ambassador. MasterCard will be delivering Priceless Surprises to MasterCard card holders and rugby fans around the world.