Saints board to discuss Woodward

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe will discuss ways in which England rugby coach Clive Woodward could get involved at St Mary’s at a board meeting tomorrow.

Woodward is meeting with Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron today and is expected to offer his resignation.

The Rugby World Cup-winning coach attended Saints’ Barclays Premiership match against Chelsea on Saturday alongside Lowe, who admits an association with Woodward could be mutually beneficial.

“Sir Clive expressed an interest in getting into football and he has spent time looking at our academy and other aspects of the club,” Lowe told The Times.

“If we can learn from him about motivation, improving individuals and becoming world-class, then great. And if we can help him then we are very happy, too.

“Relationships sometimes are not planned – they just grow. He’s running the England rugby team for the next 12 months, as I am aware, but I will be discussing his involvement at the board meeting on Thursday.”