RFU want Sir Clive Woodward for their top job

On top of the world: Sir Clive Woodward walks out of the stadium in Sydney with the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2003
10 April 2012

English rugby chiefs are preparing to offer Sir Clive Woodward the chance to become the Rugby Football Union's new performance director by adding him to a three-man shortlist they had already drawn up.

The return of Woodward now looks certain given that Francis Baron is no longer chief executive and with Rob Andrew today moving to the new post of RFU operations director.

The RFU have opted to delay their final decision for "a couple of months" in order to bring Woodward into the mix. Baron was the main obstacle to Woodward's return as the pair clashed when he was England team manager.

Andrew's elite rugby department has now been split into three areas: performance, operations and development. He was invited to apply for the role of rugby operations and has now been given the position.

Woodward is currently the British Olympic Association director of sport and Deputy Team GB chef de mission for the 2012 Games but would quit the role if he returns to Twickenham.

The 55-year-old declined to comment on the situation today but has made it clear in the past that he hasn't applied for the job. The official selection process has now reached the last stage.

Three candidates had been identified for final assessment and it is understood that senior figures within the RFU have decided they have to get Woodward, the man who led England to World Cup glory in 2003, into the process and will ask him to become the fourth man under consideration.

RFU officials insist this is well within their rights under the selection process, although it will be seen as special treatment for Woodward, who must be considered their preferred choice.

Jake White, the World Cup-winning South Africa coach, and former Australia coach Eddie Jones are two of the men believed to be on the three-man shortlist.

Crucially, Martin Johnson is also understood to be happy to have Woodward back on board. His position as team manager is now on a sure footing after he led England to the Six Nations title.

Johnson, who was England captain under Woodward, will ensure that his own area of control is well defined. He would be happy to let Woodward deal with the strategic planning for the 2015 World Cup, which is being staged in this country.

Woodward applied for the elite rugby director's job in 2006 and had considerable support within the RFU.

However, in the final deliberations, the casting vote went to Andrew because of friction between Woodward and Baron. That meant Woodward was not likely to apply for the new position when the RFU were shaken up under new CEO John Steele.

The RFU have tried to distance themselves publicly from Woodward and said last night: "The selection process for the new RFU rugby performance director has been deferred for a couple of months as some important candidates were not able to spare the time among their rugby commitments."

But privately they have now nailed their colours to Woodward's mast and are determined to get their man.

Woodward was appointed as BOA director of elite performance in 2006 after a short period with Southampton Football Club had mixed results.

His plan to provide an all-encompassing programme to "hothouse" British talent, giving them the best medical, nutritional and scientific advice was shelved because of a lack of sponsorship in January.

Steele, meanwhile, has continued to stamp his mark on the RFU with the appointment of Steve Grainger, the former chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, as development officer.

Steele said: "Our restructure has given us the chance to attract the very best talent to the RFU for the future. Rob [Andrew] has had great success in building and developing a platform for the success we are starting to see in our England teams.

"We will now be looking for him to turn his talent to the whole game from professional to grassroots rugby.

"Steve is one of the UK's leading experts in sports development and now the RFU have the opportunity to draw on that."

Andrew, who will no longer be involved in the elite England squad side, said: "I am excited by the opportunity to maintain many of my key responsibilities at the RFU and to add new ones to my remit.

"Continuing to work closely with Premiership Rugby and the clubs on our eight-year agreement will provide continuity and allow me to influence the elite game."

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