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.