Carling tips Vickery

Vickery was a key member of England's World Cup-winning team

Will Carling says Phil Vickery should be installed as England captain following Martin Johnson's decision to quit international rugby.

Johnson confirmed he was retiring on Saturday, ending weeks of speculation.

Now the search for his successor begins, with Vickery, Jonny Wilkinson, Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio among the frontrunners for the job.

But Carling would opt for prop Vickery, telling BBC Radio Five Live: "He has got the respect of the players."

Wilkinson was vice-captain under Johnson, but Carling says it is not the right time for the Newcastle fly-half to take charge.

"I think Jonny has so much on his plate in terms of his kicking duties, in terms of he is the pivot of the whole team with his decision-making," said Carling, himself a former England captain.

I would think they are probably looking for a short-term captain at the moment Bill Beaumont

"Where (being captain) would affect him would be in the build-up to the game.

"Instead of being able to think completely about himself and be immersed in his own preparation for that week is suddenly if he had to step back and think about 20 other guys. I'm not sure if that is in his nature."

Carling believes England coach Sir Clive Woodward should not opt for a short-term replacement.

"I actually think they should give it to someone who they believe will captain for the next World Cup," he said.

"They are about to go to New Zealand and Australia. I think that's great experience - whatever happens - for a captain.

"Give it to a man who can actually get four years' worth of experience out of it."

He's got great leadership skills, will be around for many years to come, and I think he knows how to handle the media and attention From georgie kidd Have your say on Scrum V

However, another former captain, Bill Beaumont, feels that Woodward will opt for a short-term replacement rather than looking further ahead towards the next World Cup.

"I would think they are probably looking for a short-term captain at the moment just to see them through the Six Nations and the tour to New Zealand, just to settle things down again," he said.

Beaumont agreed with Carling that it was too soon for Wilkinson but added that the player would eventually lead his country.

"He will be an outstanding captain," said Beaumont, who felt Vickery, Hill, Dallaglio and Matt Dawson were the main contenders for the captaincy.

But Jerry Guscott, who played alongside Carling, offered a third opinion.

Guscott picked out Hill as the best man for the job, saying: "The team that Johnson built would be well suited to his captaincy."