Woodward resigns

Clive Woodward’s seven-year reign as England coach tonight came to an end.

Woodward, England’s World Cup-winning supremo, has quit his role – with former Bath boss Andy Robinson taking over in the short-term as acting head coach.

Tonight’s announcement from Twickenham ends a week of speculation that Woodward would finally call time on his successful England career.

The sporting world awaits his next move, but he has been strongly linked with a role at Barclays Premiership soccer club Southampton.

In a statement, Woodward said: "I have today handed in a letter to RFU chief executive Francis Baron informing him that I am resigning my post as England head coach. This has been accepted.

“I informed Francis yesterday that I was happy to stay for the Investec Test matches in the autumn, but in discussion with him it was agreed that it would make for a smoother transition of coaching and management responsibility if I withdrew from the head coach position with immediate effect.

“I give my full support to Andy Robinson, who has been asked by the RFU to become ’acting’ head coach.

“I will attend a press conference with Francis Baron and Graeme Cattermole tomorrow at Twickenham, and until then I do not intend to make any further comment.”

Baron added: “Clive has done an outstanding job for England and the Union, and his notable successes in winning the (Six Nations) Grand Slam and the World Cup in the same year are massive achievements for which he has been rightly honoured.

“I’m sure Clive will have success in any challenges that he may now decide to accept, and we are in the process of considering suitable candidates to replace him.

“He will obviously be a very tough act to follow, but we are fortunate o have a wide number of highly qualified coaches within the existing England coaching set-up, and that is where we will start our search.

“I can confirm that Andy Robinson has been offered, and accepted, the role of acting head coach for an interim period with effect from Monday, September 6, which will include the Investec Challenge Series autumn internationals in November.

“Andy has a wealth of experience at club and international level, and I’m sure he will do an excellent job.”