Woodward’s calm response

ENGLAND boss Clive Woodward said he would be furious with any of his World Cup players if they became embroiled in media “sledging”.

Springboks skipper Corne Krige caused a stir when he labelled England leader Martin Johnson the dirtiest captain in world rugby prior to South Africa's arrival Down Under.

England did not rise to the bait and retaliate whether Krige meant it or not but Woodward knows it comes with the territory. "We get so used to it, and we just smile about it," said Woodward, ahead of today's planned team announcement for the Pool C opener against Georgia.

"It is not only Krige. It is a lot of coaches and players, whoever we play against. We get this positive feedback, let's call it that, or banter, and you just read it and smile.

"I would be very annoyed if any of the England players ever retaliated. You have just got to take the high ground and smile about it.

"We handle ourselves well with the press. I don't think we cause this or get involved with the sledging, as you call it, but it is going to come for the weeks while we are here. It's part of the baggage you carry for being part of the England rugby team," added Woodward. "I think a few years ago it may have worried us, but now we know we can't do anything about it.

"It is up to me every now and then to fire a few barrages back, and when I do that, everyone goes mad about it, but we politely sit here and cop all this rubbish."

Woodward's line-up for the first opening game will be a powerful one, despite Georgia's status as international rugby rookies. England know the importance of making a flying start, prior to far tougher matters against South Africa on Saturday week, and many front-line players are expected to play.

"The game is on Sunday, so we just work backwards from our normal schedules," he added. "Friday will be a complete day off, so we will train every day this week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They will be fairly light sessions in the build-up to the Georgia game. When I say light, they will be short but very intensive."

England's fixtures against Georgia and South Africa will both take place at the 43,000-capacity Subiaco Oval, home to Aussie Rules sides West Coast Eagles and Fremantle, and transformed by World Cup organisers with a 60,000 re-fit.