Johnson faces an RFU probe after he punched Scottish international hooker Robbie Russell during a Premiership game between Leicester and Saracens.

Although match referee Dave Pearson sin-binned him, Johnson’s conduct will be further investigated by a disciplinary panel consisting of specialist criminal lawyer Richard Smith QC, RFU senior vice-president Derek Morgan and RFU Council member Richard Moon.

The hearing takes place in Bristol on Thursday evening, when Johnson could find himself hit with a suspension.

Any ban of 10 days or more would effectively sideline him for the French clash, leaving England boss Clive Woodward having to find a new skipper probably Back and a different second-row partner for Ben Kay, with Danny Grewcock in pole position as Johnson’s deputy.

There will be much finger-crossing in the England camp this week, awaiting Thursday’s verdict, such is Johnson’s influence on rugby’s new world-ranked number one team following their 45-11 Six Nations demolition of Ireland at Twickenham.

‘‘Hopefully, the disciplinary committee will do the right thing, and Johnno will be available for France,’’ Back said.

‘‘The referee has dealt with it, and correct me if I am wrong, but I think that this is the first time a panel is going to look at someone who has been binned.

‘‘If they do anything, then it is going to set a precedent,’’ Back added.

‘‘We will wait and see what happens, but hopefully, Johnno will be available for France.’’

On the pitch, England swept Ireland aside through tries by centre Will Greenwood (2), wing Ben Cohen, number eight Joe Worsley, Kay and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who also kicked 15 points.

Five of those touchdowns arrived during the space of 24 unforgettable minutes as England transformed a 3-3 scoreline into a 32-point lead just after half-time.

At the heart of it all was Wilkinson, whose running game resembled Barry John in his prime as he danced, jinked and weaved past bewildered Irish defenders. The gifted 22-year-old had never played better for his country.

‘‘Jonny’s footwork was outstanding it took him into unbelievable places,’’ said Woodward. ‘‘He took his own performance to another level.

‘‘It was a wonderful first-half, and those first 40 to 50 minutes produced certainly some of the best rugby since I’ve been in charge.’’

As for the world rankings recognition though, Woodward gave a predictably cautious reaction.

‘‘It is great and it’s better to be first than second, although I am sure our friends in the southern hemisphere will have something to say about that. You don’t get prizes for world rankings.

‘‘It’s nice to be there, because it obviously means we are playing well and winning, but we didn’t set about what we are trying to achieve and talking about being the number one team in the world, without getting some silverware.’’

Johnson and his fellow England forwards relished their task from the kick-off, and were not disrupted by the 17th-minute loss of prop Graham Rowntree through knee trouble.

Kay and hooker Steve Thompson, whose Twickenham debut was one to savour, combined through producing some superb ball-handling skills for England’s 23rd-minute opener, and Wilkinson scorched into space for his third international try, but there was more so much more to come.

Austin Healey sparked England’s second try, running menacingly from deep and sending scrum-half Kyran Bracken clear through a huge gap in centre-field.

Supporting centre Mike Tindall took the move on, before back-row men Hill and Worsley delivered the final passes to Cohen.

Worsley and Greenwood then struck before the break, and Irish eyes continued to weep when Kay collected Wilkinson’s exquisite pass, ahead of Greenwood finishing off a job wonderfully well done.

Replacement Ronan O’Gara scored a consolation try for Ireland after David Humphreys kicked two penalties, but England’s 14th successive home win had never been in doubt, such was their overwhelming control against opponents who had crushed Wales 54-10 just a fortnight earlier.