Rugby Union: Woodward Apologises to Rfu

The clouds of intrigue swirling around Twickenham increased yesterday when it emerged that Sir Clive Woodward rang senior Rugby Football Union officials in embarrassment at the weekend to apologise over an article by the former England centre Will Greenwood which claimed the World Cup-winning coach had been in secret talks with the RFU for months.

The RFU has vehemently denied the allegation - "I thought Hans Christian Andersen had come back from the dead," huffed Martyn Thomas, the RFU's management board chairman - and Woodward was also disturbed enough to phone both Thomas and the chief executive Francis Baron to express regret at the content of Greenwood's report.

"Clive left messages on Saturday night for both Francis and myself to say he was sorry about the Will Greenwood piece and I spoke to him on Sunday," Thomas revealed. "He said he had one or two problems at Southampton but that his chairman was not unhappy and that it would not affect his employment. He added that he'd had a great time in rugby and was very complimentary about the way Francis supported him during his time at the RFU."

That final sentence hints at the real truth: Woodward would not be averse to being wooed back by the RFU if the union also fancies it. Thomas even made a point of stressing yesterday that "you can't rule anything out". But until Baron has sieved all the post-mortems, both sides can do nothing but talk in stage whispers. Since Baron is not due to file his report until April 14, the next fortnight threatens to be exhausting.

The only consistent message emerging from the corridors of power is that the RFU is determined to examine every aspect of its structure, including Andy Robinson's position as head coach, and that the notion of Woodward returning in some managerial job is extremely premature. What is also clear is that Twickenham will not be pressured into hasty decisions, preferring the dripping tap of speculation to the deluge of criticism should they get their next move wrong. "We're not going to be rushed into a half-baked job," confirmed Baron.

The union is also mindful that, with regard to Woodward, it is playing with sporting nitroglycerine. The RFU denials of any rapprochement with Southampton's director of football may have been vehement but, under cross-questioning, a more opaque picture emerges. Thomas admits dining with Woodward, along with their respective wives, in Cardiff's Tiger Bay before last year's Lions tour and also met for a meal with Woodward and Bill Beaumont in Auckland. Subsequently he also spoke to Woodward after the tour "out of courtesy to commiserate with him" following the 3-0 series defeat. "I did not then speak to Clive, or him to me, until he rang me approximately 10 days ago to take issue with quotes attributed to me in the press after the French game," insisted Thomas.

"I'd said the result did not make Andy a bad coach, that he had delivered the World Cup and that Clive Woodward was not the man who wore the tracksuit. I had a phone call at 6.45am from Clive to tell me I hadn't got it right and that I'd been unfair to him."

Thomas, though, insists his recent dialogue with Woodward does not elevate the latter above the other leading figures being touted for a role in any revamped England set-up. "I am not going to discuss with Clive Woodward, Rob Andrew, Dean Richards or any of the other names that have come up a job which, at this moment in time, does not exist," stressed Thomas. "All the positions in the RFU structure, as it currently stands, are full. There may not be jobs available."

The possibility of no change at all, however, seems remote judging by Baron's tone. Asked to comment on the possibility of the former Bath and England three-quarter Simon Halliday leaving his lucrative city career to assist Robinson behind the scenes, he referred to "more serious questions" which needed addressing first. "It's a minor issue compared to player performance, the coaching structure and team preparation," Baron said. "Andy Robinson himself has said he wants his own performance to be assessed. There's no such thing as a job-for-life guarantee." All Black fans will recall Wayne Smith offering to re-apply for his own job and being replaced by John Mitchell.

England should put in place a coaching structure built to last not just until the 2007 World Cup but the 2011 tournament as well. But until the season structure is sorted, whoever is in charge will struggle. The RFU is still insisting it wants a negotiated settlement, rather than splashing out an estimated £19m-£20m to gain sole control of the players from the clubs. "I don't believe money would solve everything," said Thomas.

Six Nations shortfall

The full price of England's failure in this year's Six Nations Championship became clearer yesterday when it emerged that the fourth-place finish by Andy Robinson's team had cost the RFU £1m in lost television and sponsorship revenue.

Francis Baron, the chief executive, revealed that the RFU is now in line for a reduced slice of the collective Six Nations cake, 75% of which is divided equally among the competing sides. Of the rest, a figure of 15% is allocated according to results. The tournament winners France are entitled to a share of 5.5% but England will now receive a share of only 2%.

The net result is that England will be £1m poorer in a season when Twickenham's capacity has also been reduced by building work. Baron, as a consequence, is demanding a sharp upturn.

"All the issues have to be looked at," he said. "We have to get it right for the sake of the England team and rugby in this country. Our structures haven't delivered the desired results."