White to Seek Woodward Advice on Rugby Future

The departing South Africa coach Jake White will meet Sir Clive Woodward next week to ask his advice on whether to walk away from rugby union having last last month guided the Springboks to victory in the World Cup. Woodward won the 2003 trophy with England but resigned less than a year later and is now working with athletes as the British Olympic Association's director of elite performance after a stint in football with Southampton.

White has been linked with Wales, England and Australia since being told by the South African Rugby Union that his contract with the Springboks, which ends next month, would not be renewed. He intends to take time out to reflect on his future after his final match in charge of South Africa against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1. "Sir Clive is a friend of mine and I regard my meeting with him as very important," said White yesterday. "The previous two World Cup- winning coaches did not stay very long in their positions: Sir Clive moved to other sports while Rod Macqueen [Australia's coach in 1999] went into business. I want to see if it is worth me pursuing opportunities outside rugby and whether, having won the ultimate prize in rugby, I would be more motivated doing that.

"It is important not to rush into a decision and I will carefully consider my options. Newspapers have associated me with several different jobs. I talked to Wales, but they wanted to make a quick appointment and the timing did not suit me, and I have said that at some time I would be interested in coaching England because it is one of the top jobs in the game. I know they are conducting a review after the World Cup and they are being thoroughly professional about it, but I think it is unfair on the incumbent Brian Ashton to hear that guys are vying for your job."

White does not expect Ashton to be fired. "He got his side to a World Cup final, and when the review was called it did not look as if England would make it that far. It was always going to be tough for Brian because of what had happened before and because he had so little time. I guess that in 2011 they want to be more prepared."