Woodward backs replacements increase

Clive Woodward today backed the expansion of World Cup replacement benches to eight players to accommodate a new edict from the IRB which states each side must have adequate front-row cover.

To ensure all scrums are contested even if both props are injured, the International Rugby Board effectively wants teams to have a replacement front row amongst the seven substitutes.

But the ruling has left both camps confused and neither are sticking to it.

England named hooker Mark Regan and prop Jason Leonard, who can play tight and loose-head, on the bench for this Saturday’s Test against Australia.

The Wallabies announce their side tomorrow but are also set to include amongst the replacements a hooker and one prop rather than two in their 22-man squad for the weekend.

“We are still trying to work out the IRB rules about front row players,” said Woodward today.

“We want to clear that up. We are not sure if we are going to the World Cup with four props or five.

“I don’t quite understand that rule, no-one can explain it to me yet. I think it’s a strange rule because this is a one off game, not a World Cup.”

“I think the IRB don’t want uncontested scrums at the World Cup – which we fully endorse – but in the six years I have been in charge, England have had uncontested scrums for 10 minutes. We want contested scrums.

“It would be excellent in the World Cup if you were allowed to put eight subs on the bench, and that must be a whole front row just to make sure.”

England named only two front-row forwards, in Phil Vickery and Dorian West, for the victory over New Zealand, as did all the other international sides last weekend.

“I think we played to the rules last weekend, which we did according to the referee and we will play to the rules again this weekend,” said Woodward.

Australia coach Eddie Jones first raised the issue heading into their opening Test of the season, against Ireland a fortnight ago.

Jones wanted permission to name eight replacements before calling two props and a hooker onto the bench and has repeatedly requested clarification on the matter from the IRB.

Despite receiving memos on the subject last week, he too remains no clearer on the situation.

“We received a number of memorandum last Friday on the particular law and it really didn’t clarify to a great extent,” he said.

“Every team last weekend picked their sides exactly the same. We are still under the impression that is the way it will continue.

“Until we get clarification two replacements is the way we will be going.”

Woodward today also called for all judiciary committees that determine citing charges at the World Cup to be entirely independent, in an attempt to achieve neutrality in decisions.

He also wants the various officials to show common sense to ensure the world’s best players do not miss matches for minor offences.

Woodward yesterday accused the judiciary panel that dealt with the Ali Williams stamping case of double standards after the New Zealand lock was absolved of blame. He claimed there would have been a different verdict had it been an England player up on the charge.

The panel was made up of an Australian chairman plus two New Zealanders, and Woodward said: “At the World Cup, with teams from all round the world, you assume everybody involved in the citing of players will be completely neutral - if that is possible with England involved.

“I have seen the citing procedures and disciplinary rules and it all depends on who is running that side of things interprets it.

“We don’t want lots of players missing games for petty flare-ups. If someone does something very serious they should be thrown out of the tournament.

“But it depends who is looking at it and how they interpret the situation.

“You look at the IRB to look after your players. If somebody goes out of line they have got to go for a long period of time.”

Woodward is frustrated that, in consecutive games against southern hemisphere opposition, England encountered a South Africa side seemingly intent on foul play and then Josh Lewsey was on the end of Williams’ boot.

The panel ruled contact had been “inadvertent”, but Woodward said: “There have been a couple of games recently where I have not been happy at all with what has gone on during the game.

“We are here to coach the team and can’t get involved, but I thought the decision to let Williams off was wrong.”