Woody’s the man

Woody’s the man

22 Mar 2006

Former World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson has urged the RFU to reappoint Clive Woodward as national coach.

Johnson said the time had come to sack Andy Robinson and stop the rot that has seen the Poms fall to sixth in the world rankings.

“The RFU either want to fix it or they don’t. Clive is the man,” Johnson said. “Perhaps he’s not everyone’s cup of tea but that is part of the job. If you go for the status quo nothing gets done.”

Woodward left the rugby world behind 18 months ago to join Southampton as director of football. However, Johnson said his former coach is the only choice if England wanted to implement change.

“He sees the bigger picture and England has to be the bigger picture. He’s the only coach England have really had in the professional era,” said Johnson, who is now retired.

“The best thing the RFU did was back Clive after the 1999 World Cup and give him time. He was the right man then and would be the right man now.

“I would really like to see him back,” Johnson added. “Who else is qualified to do it?”


11 Comments

  • 1.wls: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 16:40 pm

    Why is it this news is posted so late? this was on PLanet-rugby like yesterday. :)

    I doubt he is the man, post 2003 he has been about as succesfull as the current coach lol.

  • 2.Predawn: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 16:49 pm

    Shame the poor Mud Island dwellers..it’s going to be a loooong time before they win anything again. Woodward coming back is a very clear sign of scraping the bottom of the barrel. There is definitely a sense of panic in the English camp but this is embarrassing to say the least. He obviously needs the money.

  • 3.Stan: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 16:54 pm

    Tell us more about the Lions tour Johnson…

  • 4.Pretoria_Blue_Jay: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 17:02 pm

    or the relegation of Southampton from the premier league…

  • 5.Cubiczirconia: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 17:04 pm

    wls

    it is late because simon has just read it on planet rugby and decided to put it on keo …

  • 6.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 17:50 pm

    the only thing i love more than watching the poms loose is a *******. now if only i could combine the two…..

  • 7.Heineken H: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 18:36 pm

    Lol, yeh cos Martin Johnson was always known for his ‘intelligence’ *sarcasm*

    ****** boy should **** off and go back to the zoo.

  • 8.princess: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 20:35 pm

    Woodward is mad if he goes back to the RFU. I thought his vision was long term in Football …..wok his way up and take over England soccer eventually! Win a double World Cup.

  • 9.Brads: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2006, 20:36 pm

    It took Woodward 7 years plus a gaggle of very talented players to build his team.

    What makes Martin Johnson think Woodward is capable of molding a winning team together with anything less than the resources he required last time.

  • 10.pompies: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2006, 06:58 am

    Stan you stole my thunder, Sir Clive has done absolutly nothing great since winning that last world cup. The lions tour was a complete desaster.Best he stays where he is and learn how to play football

  • 11.bliksem: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2006, 07:11 am

    not even Graham Henry can save the poms.Their Heineken cup is strengthend by all the overseas players its easy money.How many players from England as played out their career in SA/2 to my knowledge.Paul Challenor and Chris Butcher.That must tell you something of the hardness of CC rugby.

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