Woodward blasts Andrew influence

World Cup-winning former England coach Clive Woodward is “unconvinced” by Rob Andrew’s ability to lead the national side out of the doldrums.

Woodward has launched a scathing attack on the hierarchy running the English game and has also called for Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron to step aside in favour of an experienced former player.

Andrew, the RFU’s elite rugby director, has been charged with identifying a replacement for Andy Robinson, who was sacked as head coach after a disastrous run of 13 defeats in 22 Tests since taking over from Woodward in 2004.

The former fly-half will have a key role to play in attempts to get England back to the summit of world rugby, but Woodward believes his presence may hinder, rather than help the national side.

“I have heard so much drivel spoken about what needs to be done to improve the preparation for this England team and remain unconvinced by Andrew’s vision, based on his lack of experience as an international coach,” he told The Sunday Times.

“Interfering with the England team and selection makes the role of elite rugby director untenable.

“What is needed is for the England head coach, alone, to be given complete control over every member of the England squad.”

He continued: “England’s head coach must be a man of massive stature to do an all-encompassing job.

“But which coach worth his salt, unless he was desperate for work, would take the England post at present with Andrew hovering, having a say in what is in effect a selection committee and with no control of the players?”

Woodward believes former South Africa coach Nick Mallett is the best man to lead the world champions, but he is not confident the RFU will make the right choice.

He said: “Only one thing is for certain – it will be yet another fudge. Again, so much nonsense is spoken.”

Winning the World Cup in Australia three years ago was “the worst thing that ever happened to the England team” according to Woodward, due to the fact it glossed over the failings of the English system.

And the 50-year-old claims it is time Baron stepped aside to aid a restructuring of the game which would give the national side priority.

“Baron, who has successfully managed the finances, should now step aside for the good of the game, perhaps in favour of someone with knowledge across all areas of the sport, such as Simon Halliday,” he said.

Woodward believes the saddest indictment of the RFU’s failings has been their inability to build on 2003’s success, and is adamant that there should still have been the talent in the English game to mount a realistic challenge at next year’s World Cup in France.

However, he feels that chance is long gone due to the mismanagement of the country’s elite players, such as Danny Grewcock, Mike Tindall, Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen.

He asked: “Whatever happened to the men who won the World Cup? Only (Martin) Johnson and (Neil) Back were not going to make the 2007 World Cup.

“What happened to the others, who were all young enough to make massive improvements in time for 2007?

“Is there one player still around who is better than in 2003?

“They don’t even look like they did in 2003.”

Woodward added: “Nobody has looked after them, helped them. They have been battered all over the place with no concern for their welfare.

“A generation of players has missed out because they have not been given the opportunity to play for England to the best of their ability.”