England rugby chiefs are hoping to lure World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward back into the fold following another disappointing Six Nations campaign, it was reported in London on Monday.
Woodward heads the Rugby Football Union’s wishlist of replacements for beleaguered coach Andy Robinson, who saw his team suffer their third defeat of the championship against Ireland on Saturday.
The RFU has drawn up a new management structure for the world champions with Woodward at the top, the Daily Mail reported.
Woodward resigned 18 months ago to start a new career in football, leaving former assistant Robinson to take charge.
England’s fortunes have dipped dramatically since Woodward masterminded their 2003 World Cup victory, with the team struggling to find a coherent game-plan under the Robinson regime.
But while Woodward is being tipped for a return, another possible candidate, Newcastle boss Rob Andrew, has ruled himself out of the running.
Andrew, the former England and British Lions flyhalf, said he had no interest in taking up the role.
”I can categorically say I will not be putting my hat in the ring,” Andrew told the Mail. ”It’s not something I have ever coveted and it’s not a position I am interested in taking up at this point in time.
”I am loyal to Newcastle and they have been fabulous to me. I feel that is where my job is and where my responsibility lies.
”We have a plan at Newcastle for the next five or six years and I do not wish to turn my back on that plan.”
Under-pressure Robinson insisted he was ”not expecting to be going anywhere” after the 28-24 Ireland defeat.
Robinson is set to face plenty of fresh probing ahead of England’s two-Test tour of Australia, with just 18 months until the 2007 World Cup in France.
”People have got lots of opinions and when you’re losing those opinions come out even more,” Robinson said.
”Everybody will be reviewed, including myself, and we’ll look at how we can move forward. I’ll be meeting with [RFU chief executive] Francis Baron to discuss everything, but I’m not expecting to be going anywhere.” – AFP
