England team train ahead of Rugby World Cup Bronze Final match against Argentina
Former Red Roses head coach Sir Clive Woodward has accused the RFU of bringing England Rugby to “its knees” despite their bronze medal finish this year. Woodward believes the governing body is an “old boy’s club” that needs shaking up if England are ever to win another World Cup.
England haven’t won a World Cup since 2003 when Woodward was at the helm. Since then, there have been two silvers, a bronze and a couple of disastrous early exits in 2011 and 2015.
Steve Borthwick’s men defeated Argentina 26-23 in the third-place playoff at Stade de France on Friday. Although Woodward is impressed by Borthwick and the players he has at his disposal, the 67-year-old wants to see the head coach gain some backing from a quality director of rugby in order to help England reach that next level.
The former Rugby World Cup winner proposes that the RFU look to the South African and New Zealand coaching boxes and consider the possibility of bringing on board a member of their coaching staff to become England’s new director of rugby.
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Woodward is particularly keen on Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus or the All Blacks’ Joe Schmidt and Ian Foster. Penning his latest column for the Daily Mail, Woodward wrote: “The RFU should be looking at the South African and New Zealand coaching boxes on Saturday night with envy but also with an eye on trying to entice one of them as director of rugby. I’ve long advocated for English rugby to employ someone of real stature, gravitas and quality to that role.
“For me, one of the fundamental reasons why the game in our country is still in such a precarious position is because the RFU lacks exactly that right now. Between Rassie Erasmus, Ian Foster and Joe Schmidt, there are some fascinating contenders.
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“I’m sure all of them would covert the position as long as they were able to operate as they see fit. For as long as I can remember, the RFU has been far too cozy. It’s an old boys’ club which is slowly but surely bringing rugby to its knees at all levels
“It needs really shaking up if England are to ever win the World Cup again. The question I’d be asking the old boys at Twickenham is were they genuinely pained by England losing the semi-final to South Africa? Or, were they relieved Steve Borthwick’s side made the last four as it probably means they can keep their positions for another four years? Whether or not they have the bottle to appoint a quality director of rugby will give you the real answer.”
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