"The back row is a very competitive area and it is a very big group of 64 players."
"We do not think of it as the EPS and the Saxons squads, it is one big pool of players and they have all got a chance to impress."
Narraway's 2009-10 season got off to a slow start as he was sidelined in the early part of the campaign following close season back surgery but he bounced back in style and played a key role in the England Saxons successful Churchill Cup campaign in the summer.
Johnson added:
"A lot of people have been away and have come back in. People like Luke Narraway, he is one of them."
"He has come back into it, he has come in and done really well in the fitness tests and the rugby side of it."
Attwood's 2009-10 season was a complete contrast. The big second row moved up the M5 from Bristol having made only five starts in four seasons for the Memorial Stadium outfit.
However, he quickly made an impression at Kingsholm and made 25 starts in competitive matches before forcing his way in the Saxons set up in the spring. He then toured with England in the summer and was named in the 2010-11 Elite Playing Squad.
Johnson acknowledged his development:
"Attwood has got a taste of what it is about and has come back in good shape. He has quickly understood what he needs to do and the pressure is keeping it going for the season."
"We have been wondering where the next young guys were coming from in that position. It is great those young guys have come through and, the more we get in, the better."
