Lions: Sport agent backs Woodward's diary comments

Clive Woodward’s outspoken criticism of the controversial ‘daily diaries’ which reduced the Lions tour to farce has been backed by one of the game’s leading agents.

Woodward attacked columns written by both Matt Dawson and Austin Healey during the 2-1 series defeat to Australia, claiming it was ‘totally wrong’ for players to release confidential information which could cause offence to other members of the party.

While insisting neither of England’s errant scrum-halves would be carpeted by the national side for indiscretions on Lions duty, Woodward has made it clear that both would have been sent home had he been in charge of the party.

And Mike Burton, who looks after the interests of a host of top players on either side of the rugby divide, feels the England manager is right to make his feelings known.

‘‘Obviously, he doesn’t want what has happened to the Lions to happen with England,’’ he said.

‘‘I congratulate him for writing to the agents and taking this stance because clearly the articles which have been appearing are embarrassing.

‘‘As coach of England, he has a responsibility to stop this and it shows how wide his role is now. I certainly understand where he is coming from.’’

Burton negotiated a newspaper contract with one high-profile member of the Lions party who started all three Tests.

But he also ensured he had a right of veto over the words which were eventually published - and feels this must be the way forward for future tours.

‘‘I am particularly tight on this because players are not always aware of the wider implications of the things they say,’’ he said.

‘‘Players are professional now and there are a lot of spin-offs which come from that.

‘‘But they should never lose sight of their primary role, which is to play rugby.

‘‘Anything else they do should enhance their status, not damage it.’’

Meanwhile, Woodward has tried to play down talk of a rift between himself and Lions coach Graham Henry.

While remaining adamant that the Lions management failed to set the right example in terms of book and video contracts, the England manager is keen to stress that the blame for the 2-1 series defeat should not be pinned at the Kiwi’s door.

‘‘I am totally supportive of Graham,’’ he said. ‘‘Just from what the players are saying, it is clear there have been mistakes.

‘‘But what I am asking for is the England players to back off when they think about criticising.

‘‘Graham Henry has done his best, so why don’t they leave him alone?

‘‘I wish more people would follow the Martin Johnson approach and look at themselves in the mirror a bit more rather than blaming other people.’’