A just reward, says Woodward

CLIVE WOODWARD figured England had the Grand Slam wrapped up after 40 minutes of yesterday's encounter at Lansdowne Road.

Not arrogant, just confident. "I expected Ireland to throw the kitchen sink at us in the opening half and they did. They were the better side but we led going in at half time. I think that was a crucial factor to the outcome of the game.

"We proved to ourselves that we could go to Lansdowne Road, survive the early war of attrition, and that was a good sign for us.