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Sir Clive Woodward

Sir Clive Woodward

Sir Clive Woodward is one of the country's sporting greats having made history in 2003 by leading England to a maiden Rugby World Cup triumph in Australia. He had the privilege of coaching his country between 1997 and 2004.

Coverage: Rugby

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM SIR CLIVE WOODWARD

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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It's heartbreaking to see my World Cup hero suffer so much with dementia... Steve Thompson's story is an important one and rugby must start taking this issue seriously

16/04/22 09:34

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Concussion and its associated neurological issues is the most important debate in the modern game and I would urge you to read Steve Thompson's new book. His story is an important one. I was asked to contribute a chapter on Thompson the rugby player and bloke but I will also be interviewing him on stage at the Hay Book Festival, where I hope we can really dig down into what the game can do to reduce head and brain injuries. There is also a forthcoming ITV documentary, to which I am contributing, on his story and other former players suffering with premature dementia. The entire rugby community must start taking this seriously....read

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The RFU STINKS from top to bottom… England fans are being taken for fools by a gutless old boys club led by Eddie Jones and Bill Sweeney
21/03/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I fear we are witnessing a return of the RFU old boys' club - or the 'old farts' as Will Carling described them - as they try to close down legitimate debate on Jones' future.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Six Nations showed that England are outdated and don't have the game plan to beat the world's best... as France and Ireland proved the best is still to come
20/03/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England at best are treading water while France and Ireland disappear. A few point to an 'improvement' from fifth place to third but frankly don't even go there.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: This year's Six Nations showed that France and Ireland are in a league of their own... England continue to frustrate while providing a tantalising glimpse into a brighter future
19/03/22 10:36
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Before this Six Nations I was hugely excited at the prospect of five of the best sides in the world, and Italy, going head to head and it was a largely enjoyable tournament.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The only way England win is if France have a man sent off... Eddie Jones' selection is baffling and shows he views this game as a shot to nothing
18/03/22 10:32
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: This remains a match of huge consequence for England - a fantastic opportunity to salvage another mediocre Six Nations and strike a blow against the French.
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EXCLUSIVE: 'I've seen all the best No 9s and Antoine Dupont's up there with the greats': Iconic scrum-half Sir Gareth Edwards talks to SIR CLIVE WOODWARD about the France ace lighting up this year's Six Nations
17/03/22 10:53
EXCLUSIVE: Iconic scrum-half Sir Gareth Edwards talked to Sir Clive Woodward about France ace Antoine Dupont - who has been the star of this year's Six Nations.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones' job is on the line if his George Furbank gamble fails when England take on France in their Six Nations finale... after constantly tampering with the outside backs
17/03/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: If this goes badly wrong - and I reckon there is about a 10 per cent chance of it coming off gloriously and a 90 per cent chance of it backfiring horribly - Jones will be very exposed.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England were found wanting in defeat by Ireland with Eddie Jones' pathetic macho rhetoric summing up their flawed approach to the clash... although Ellis Genge looks like a future captain
13/03/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: What a match to try to debrief. Having been at Twickenham it was a brilliant sporting occasion, with the crowd engaged and the result in doubt until the final 10 minutes.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England showed real character and spirit in adversity during defeat to Ireland... there were glimpses of a brighter future for Eddie Jones' men and they could spoil France's Grand Slam party
12/03/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Down to 14 men after a minute, they reacted with their best performance of this year's Six Nations. If ever a scoreline did a side scant justice this was it.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: With just three defeats in their last 38 home Test matches, England should never be considered underdogs ahead of the visit of Ireland... you're barking up the wrong tree, Eddie Jones!
11/03/22 10:38
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I've never understood why any coach in any sport would do this unless you really are the underdog and, even then, why state the obvious?
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England were mad to kick Andy Farrell and Mike Catt into touch after the 2015 World Cup disappointment... the pair will be out to prove a point by guiding Ireland to victory at Twickenham
10/03/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I've loved their exciting, fluid, high-tempo approach with Ireland but as an English fan, I wish Andy Farrell and Mike Catt were still at the heart of the England set-up.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It's judgment time, England… the next two matches will show if Eddie Jones' men are a first division outfit like France and Ireland, or second tier
27/02/22 10:30
Now the dust has settled, England are in decent shape and will unquestionably start as underdogs against Ireland that is a dynamic they will enjoy as they head into final two Six Nations ties.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Marcus Smith is a world-class, nerveless high percentage kicker who is crucial to England's success... his work with Jonny Wilkinson is paying off and turning him into a star
26/02/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: That wasn't quite the England performance I was expecting but I wouldn't underestimate the value of that win. When the Welsh are hot they can damage you very quickly.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England can finally play rugby in the fast lane and run all over Wales... despite the injury to Manu Tuilagi taking away the 'X-factor' from Eddie Jones' squad for their Six Nations clash at Twickenham
25/02/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD - WORLD CUP WINNING COACH: England have picked a very mobile side and would profit from as high a ball-in-play time as possible. They have nothing to fear.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Losing Manu Tuilagi is massive blow for England's Six Nations campaign... but Eddie Jones has picked a superb starting XV
24/02/22 10:39
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: At least it was until last night when the crushing news broke about Manu Tuilagi's latest injury. Injuries are a part of sport but he seems to suffer way more than most
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Maro Itoje would be my choice as England captain over Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge… he's an automatic choice at lock and ticks all the boxes as a skipper
22/02/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: This week Lawes is available again so who captains England against Wales? Curry? Lawes? Another? And does it matter? Well, yes it does, massively.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It would be BRAINLESS to parachute South Africa into the Six Nations... the competition is chasing cash when it should be bolstering the European game
17/02/22 10:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It would be hard to think of a more ill-conceived muddle-headed idea than South Africa being randomly parachuted into the Six Nations in the future.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Harry Randall and Marcus Smith look the real deal... England were far from perfect but showed they have the makings of a dream team at half-back in Italy whitewash
13/02/22 10:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It was far from perfect and there is plenty to work on ahead of the Wales game a week on Saturday but there was lot to enjoy in England's whitewash of Italy.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Physicality and intensity was off the scale in France's with Ireland but hosts' front row gave them the edge... and I was delighted to see Dan Biggar clinch victory for Wales against Scotland
12/02/22 11:54
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: To take the lead at that stage was vital psychologically. Scotland became very frantic and lacked poise and I didn't ever feel they were going to rescue it from there.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones has picked an attacking side in the Six Nations clash with Italy... but I'm still not sure if he knows his best England team
11/02/22 11:45
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Is Eddie Jones anywhere near knowing his very best side and answering some of the questions that are beginning to loom large ahead of next year's World Cup? I'm not so sure.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Top sides should never rely on just one man and it's Ireland's chance to prove they can win without talisman Johnny Sexton in their blockbuster Six Nations clash against France
11/02/22 10:07
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: All eyes will be on Paris on Saturday evening and there is no question in my mind that the winners of France's clash with Ireland will go on to win the title.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Irish props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong are now the envy of the world... but it is the whole team's energy and pace that is so impressive
06/02/22 10:33
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: While Eddie Jones endured a poor day at the office, two English coaches - Andy Farrell and Mike Catt - were getting it very right with an impressive Ireland side.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: There is nobody at Twickenham qualified to hold Eddie Jones to account, which is a MASSIVE weakness. Here are the six questions England NEED to answer after a string of errors turned victory into defeat against Scotland
06/02/22 10:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: In the absence of anybody from above questioning Eddie Jones, will the England senior players demand a few words with him on Monday? Accountability is needed.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones is obsessed with his England 'finishers'... but after throwing away a game they should have won comfortably, it's a nonsense
05/02/22 09:59
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Why is the game, and England boss Eddie Jones particularly, obsessed with this concept of 'finishers'? Please somebody enlighten me as I don't understand it.
'Marcus Smith has no obvious weaknesses, but I'll tell my boys "do NOT let him settle': Scotland coach Gregor Townsend and SIR CLIVE WOODWARD discuss how to combat England's rising star ahead of Six Nations opener
04/02/22 10:31
England will look to get their Six Nations campaign off to a flying start on Saturday, but Gregor Townsend's silky Scots will attempt to derail Eddie Jones's men at the first hurdle.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Starting Calcutta Cup as favourites will bring extra pressure in Six Nations showpiece opener, but now's the time for Scotland to prove they are the real deal
03/02/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: What has happened to English rugby - and similarly, what has happened to Scottish rugby? England have it all to do but that often brings out the best in them.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD's team-by-team guide to the Six Nations: England are looking to bounce back after a clearout, the old France are back and here to stay... but reigning champions Wales could struggle
29/01/22 10:30
Sportsmail columnist Sir Clive Woodward has provided a rundown of the six teams set to contest the northern hemisphere's greatest tournament: England, France, Wales, Italy, Scotland and Ireland.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Freddie Steward could be the long-term answer to England's thorny issue at No 12 - but for now they should stick with a specialist like Mark Atkinson there
29/01/22 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: While Marcus Smith is being given free rein at fly-half, I see Farrell as a No 10 with Smith and reverting to the bench as cover for 10 and 12 when Smith is preferred.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I'm envious, this is the best England squad since we won the World Cup... well done Eddie Jones for recognising it's time for a new wave of players to back the old stagers
18/01/22 10:34
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: You can always quibble about one or two of England's squad selections but overall, this is our most talented group of players since 2003.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Six Nations must build on resurgence after northern hemisphere sides pulled off a clean sweep over southern giants for first time since 2002... I dream of a day when Europe provides all four World Cup semi-finalists
21/11/21 10:32
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: What an autumn. A feast of great rugby in all different styles played in front of excited, capacity crowds at our great citadels.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Marcus Smith is a natural winner and so his kick to win it was never in doubt... but England beat South Africa the hard way and Eddie Jones will know they have plenty of room to improve
21/11/21 12:10
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Smith kept kicking his goals all day in a tumultuous contest that really got the pulse going. And when the moment came, when his team needed him, he delivered.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: How England can defuse South Africa's 'bomb squad': high tempo, keep the ball in play and hope we don't miss Mako Vunipola too much in the front row
19/11/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Having dealt with Wales and Scotland, South Africa are looking to finish off an epic season by beating England. My instinct is to rage against their famed bomb squad.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: If Owen Farrell was available, I would have dropped Marcus Smith! It's a huge moment for him and I would utilise him later on to cause the Boks serious damage - but now we will get a full-scale examination of his credentials
18/11/21 10:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD - WORLD CUP WINNING COACH: It's 'either or' for the No10 shirt and for this game, I would have started Owen, with Smith coming on later to cause serious damage.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England have a need for speed and Eddie Jones' side will need to be at their rapid best to get revenge over South Africa after frustrating stop-start victory against Australia at Twickenham
14/11/21 10:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It says a lot about the potential of Eddie Jones' England team when a 32-15 win over this Australia side leaves you feeling slightly frustrated and unsatisfied
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: English duo Andy Farrell and Mike Catt are putting Ireland on the fast-track to rugby's pinnacle following 'special' triumph over New Zealand
14/11/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Jamison Gibson-Park's selection ahead of Conor Murray was inspired, while Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris and Jack Conan all shone.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Why pick Marcus Smith but then not let him have control? England deserved to beat Australia but there needs to be a big step up against South Africa
13/11/21 10:49
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD - WORLD CUP WINNING COACH: Not that you complain too loudly at a 17-point win over Australia but it was a pretty poor spectacle.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Australia have produced some magic fly-halves over the years but have struggled to find a long-term solution recently... England can take advantage and make it eight wins in a row
12/11/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Australia may have won five of their last six Tests and done the double over South Africa and Argentina in this year's Rugby Championship but I'm expecting an England win.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Manu Tuilagi can play on the wing but not when it matters... England need to stop messing about and simply play every player in his best position if they want to build a World Cup-winning team
11/11/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Will England beat Australia with Manu Tuilagi playing on the wing? Absolutely they will. But will it help them win the World Cup, Grand Slam or trouble the All Blacks?
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Marcus Smith looks born to play international rugby after ruthless cameo against Tonga and deserves to start against Australia... when England's autumn truly begins
07/11/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England ticked just about every box asked of them against Tonga but their autumn series only really starts in earnest this week against Australia.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England's win over Tonga was a warm-up for Australia but it's heartening to see their best two centres Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi in such fine fettle... the combination frightens opponents!
06/11/21 10:34
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD - WORLD CUP WINNING COACH: Besides Marcus Smith's run out, what impressed me most was the return to form of Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi in the centre.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones' side must be ruthless and shoot for a big win against Tonga before they meet the improving Australia
05/11/21 11:04
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Let's not sit on the fence, it is the manner of England's inevitable victory against Tonga that is important, the way they play and go about their work.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones has made the right call to protect Marcus Smith - his time will come for England... while Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward have the opportunity to shine against Tonga
04/11/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: While the Twickenham faithful may be frustrated at Marcus Smith beginning Saturday's game on the bench, they should be excited by the team selection.
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No Owen Farrell, but Manu Tuilagi, Marcus Smith and Max Malins all make our England starting XV! World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward and Bath star Danny Cipriani join Chris Foy and Nik Simon for Sportsmail's Red Rose selection meeting
29/10/21 09:31
England are entering a new era and next week Eddie Jones will announce a revamped team ahead of autumn Tests. There are endless areas of debate, so Sportsmail brought together a selection panel.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Marcus Smith can be a game-changer capable of transforming the way England attack... but if he is chosen at No 10 by Eddie Jones this autumn Owen Farrell must be on the BENCH, not at 12
18/10/21 09:33
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I've been beating the Marcus Smith drum for a long time and would have had him starting England games long before this autumn.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Team Europe needs to totally re-organise and regenerate, the Americans are only going to get better... the captain has to pick all 12 players from now on!
27/09/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Europe have to make radical changes to stay competitive because the Americans are only going to get better. You really felt that this was payback time plus for the Americans.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England have gone backwards since the World Cup final but the potential in this squad is SCARY... now Eddie Jones must gives Steward, Smith, Lynagh and Co a chance to shine
21/09/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: From the 45 players picked by England coach Eddie Jones, you could pick the most exciting side in world rugby. But the time wasted is the real story here.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It's a new season and rugby must show the fans thrills and spills or the game will be DEAD in five years... and these three rising stars could be on England's radar soon
15/09/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOOWARD: Positive, attacking rugby is the way forward. I looked on in horror last weekend at the sheer poverty and boredom from the South Africa team against Australia.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The World 12s concept ticks a lot of boxes, too much rugby now is dull, unambitious and a turn off... something MUST change!
09/09/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I'm always a glass-half-full person when it comes to innovation in sport and, although we still need a few more details to flesh things out, I'm genuinely enthusiastic about the potential of a World 12s tournament.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Lions were not ruthless enough in South Africa and spurning penalty chances while in command cost them
08/08/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODARD: The thing about a World Cup final or the last Test of a Lions series is that there is no Monday morning. There is never any debrief. Everybody's had enough and is heading for home.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Finn Russell was outstanding when he came on in the third Test... but you are almost certainly not going to win a series by scoring just two tries in three games
07/08/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Lions should have won that game and I've got nothing but praise for Finn Russell and the part he played when coming on as an early replacement. He was outstanding.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Lions can roar to glory if they just speed it up! Tap penalties, quick lineouts and getting the X-factor stars on early should all mean the Springboks are beaten in a series decider made for champions
06/08/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: South Africa start as favourites but make no mistake, the Lions can still win in Cape Town and take the series. It will need a Herculean effort, but victory can be theirs.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Warren Gatland's Lions selection feels a little conservative... while World Rugby's investigation into Rassie Erasmus' rant has come too late - his intimidating presence as bogus water boy is the bigger issue
03/08/21 09:30
This team feels a little conservative to me. I was hoping for a statement at fly-half in the form of Finn Russell or even Marcus Smith. But it's Dan Biggar again, this time reunited with Ali Price.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: If Warren Gatland can get the Lions out of this hole and win the Test series decider against the Springboks, it will be the crowning achievement of his coaching career... his team were off the pace and brave calls must be made
01/08/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: His team were way off the pace in the second Test, suckered into playing the forward-orientated game the Springboks love, at the steady pace they enjoy.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: World Rugby must show Rassie Erasmus who is boss because enough is enough... his hour-long video was a character assassination and he should stay in the stands with other coaches rather than disguise as a humble water boy
01/08/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: At the risk of repeating myself, South Africa's director of rugby Erasmus should not be allowed to prowl the touchlines and run on to the pitch disguised as a water boy.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: In the wake of Simone Biles and Ben Stokes's mental health revelations, we should always respect an athlete's needs... but to be a winner, you need to handle pressure
31/07/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: My experience is that every case is different, every athlete is different. Things can change and unravel quickly in short periods of time.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Make your mind up Rassie, water boy or coach? South Africa's win over the Lions was terrific but Erasmus striding on and hovering at crucial moments was inappropriate AGAIN
31/07/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: You can't have it both ways, Rassie! You are either a water boy or you are director of rugby and a member of the coaching and backroom staff. You can't ride both horses.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Lions will WIN the series with victory in the second Test against South Africa thanks to totemic captain Alun Wyn Jones... who put in a colossal display last week after his injury nightmare
30/07/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Lions will have their share of possession and have the strength and class across the board. They will have to resist a much stronger Boks effort but I hope they remain positive in attack.
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Has Warren Gatland picked the right team? In what areas can the Lions improve? And how about Rassie Erasmus' antics? Sir Clive Woodward, Jamie Roberts, Chris Foy and Nik Simon look forward to the second test in South Africa
29/07/21 09:31
Discussing selections, tactics, potential improvements and Rassie Erasmus' antics. Sportsmail's experts look ahead to the Lions' second test in South Africa on Saturday
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Rassie Erasmus is proving to be a bad distraction for South Africa while Warren Gatland is all business... the tweaks he has made to his Lions team all make sense and have a clear logic
27/07/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Erasmus is proving a distraction for South Africa while Warren Gatland has been statesmanlike as he prepares a squad looking to close out the series.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Coaching confusion is playing into the Lions' hands... the comical Rassie Erasmus needs to butt out and let Jacques Nienaber take charge if South Africa are to stand any chance of levelling the series
25/07/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: If South Africa are to stand any chance of levelling the series in Saturday's second Test, Erasmus must be in a suit in the stands playing no part in any matchday decisions.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It was a superb turnaround from the Lions after a miserable opening half against South Africa... but beware of the wounded Boks in the second Test!
24/07/21 09:32
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: What a fantastic turnaround by the Lions. At half-time I was seriously worried, they hadn't really fired a shot in the first 40 minutes.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD'S FIVE KEY CLASHES: Tom Curry must shut down Faf de Klerk and full backs Stuart Hogg and Willie Le Roux must be perfect both with and without the ball
23/07/21 11:57
Ahead of the opening test, England's World Cup-winning coach and Sportsmail columnist Sir Clive Woodward has highlighted five crucial areas where the Test will be won and lost.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Lions MUST win the first Test against South Africa or they will be whitewashed... both teams have had it rough with Covid but I fancy Warren Gatland's men by a point!
23/07/21 10:43
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The Lions will never have a better chance of winning an opening Test... and it's important they do because if they lose, I fear they will get whitewashed.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Warren Gatland has picked a bold and exciting Lions XV... but I fear Cheslin Kolbe's dazzling feet will expose Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe
21/07/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Some pundits suggest that Kolbe might not enjoy tackling Van der Merwe. They clearly haven't seen the pocket rocket Boks wing pile into opponents twice his size.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Warren Gatland has his work cut out to decide Lions' starting XV to face Springboks... this is the most open selection race I've ever seen
17/07/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Who would be a coach? I can't remember a more open Lions selection and this is going to be a huge test of Warren's ability to make the really big difficult calls.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Are we practising correctly? Could there be a Premier League penalty competition? How I would make Gareth Southgate's Three Lions spot-kick champions
13/07/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It's difficult to imagine any team winning the World Cup or Euros without a penalty at some stage. England have to think differently about spot-kicks going forward.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Gareth Southgate is the Three Lions' magic man... he knows what it means to fans and the whole country... coaching England is about seizing that moment in time and that's exactly he's doing
09/07/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD:Gareth Southgate has been brilliant, building on the excellent foundations he put in place for the World Cup three years ago and a hat tip also to the FA.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Poor warm-up games won't help Warren Gatland... they will be of limited use and the teams were incredibly poor, so it's just as well the Lions have such a canny coach as this Tour is proving difficult
08/07/21 10:22
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The goalposts seem to change every day. Players test positive for Covid and have to isolate along with close contacts and matches are cancelled at short notice.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Marcus Smith has the X factor and MUST start for England at the Six Nations... the fly-half was the star of Harlequins' extraordinary Premierships triumph
27/06/21 11:21
I'm running out of superlatives to describe what I've seen from Harlequins in recent weeks and they surpassed themselves yet again in Saturday's brilliant Premiership final.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Losing Alun Wyn Jones is a huge blow to the Lions... but history is littered with big-name players getting injured and I am excited by this team's potential
27/06/21 09:33
It will feel worse because he hadn't even made it on to the plane. For some ridiculous reason it might have been more palatable if the injury had occurred in the opening match on South African soil.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I'm excited to get a first glimpse of the British and Irish Lions against Japan... but the real tour starts next week in Johannesburg
25/06/21 09:32
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Saturday's game is a welcome one off, but even with the Lions very tight, constricted schedule I wouldn't be reading too much into the Lions selection.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I have been blown away by the skill, speed and attacking intent on display at the end of this season... it has been needed to save English rugby's reputation
25/06/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I want to doff a cap to just about every team and coach in the League ahead of the Premiership final. Everybody has raised their game and played with smile.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Warren Gatland pulls a few rabbits out of the hat in his selection, Courtney Lawes can damage South Africa while Jonny Hill is an aggressive, tough-tackling lock... the Lions must fight fire with fire
06/05/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Gatland always does it his way without being diverted by the noise and opinion that accompanies top-flight sport. That is reflected in this fascinating squad.
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Maro Itoje or Alun Wyn Jones? Sir Clive Woodward runs the rule over both men when it comes to their suitability as Lions captain... with Warren Gatland facing a selection headache over which of the titans to pick
01/05/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Warren Gatland has plenty on his plate right now as he selects his Lions squad and plans an operationally challenging campaign against the world champions.
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SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Has anyone got the bottle to keep Eddie Jones under control? His coaching role in Japan makes English rugby look RIDICULOUS... he should be 100% focused on the job and can afford absolutely zero distractions
27/04/21 09:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I am one of the very few people who is qualified to state that if you are going to coach England in the professional era, you can afford absolutely zero distractions.
- 1 comment
- 11 shares
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Give me strength! This RFU debrief about England's Six Nations is a nonsensical whitewash of excuse-making, box-ticking and corporate twaddle
22/04/21 09:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: While football's European Super League scandal raged, the RFU slipped out their review of the miserably poor Six Nations campaign.
- 1 comment
- 101 shares
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD MEETS JASON LEONARD: Ahead of what will be a 'difficult but memorable' tour, Lions chairman sits down to talk fans, bubbles, the Springboks ... and why he was called 'the fun bus'!
12/04/21 09:30
Ahead of an eagerly anticipated British and Irish Lions tour which has took an endless amount of work to finally put together, Lions chairman Jason Leonard sat down to chat with his former coach.
- 1 comment
- 19 shares
'Concussions from my playing days have given me OCD, memory loss and insomnia': Former England star Kyran Bracken talks to his World Cup winning coach SIR CLIVE WOODWARD about his crusade to tackle rugby's head injury scandal
30/03/21 09:30
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Kyran Bracken sat down with Sportsmail columnist Sir Clive Woodward to discuss how he is tackling rugby biggest issue.
- 23 comments
- 22 shares
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Giving the Lions tour the green light for South Africa was the right call... touring is what it's all about and the whole dynamic would have altered
23/03/21 10:30
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The tour had to take place this year or not at all and although playing it here seemed a serious option - and having limited crowds was appealing - it still didn't feel quite right.
- 1 comment
- 148 shares
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Eddie Jones has got to put up or shut up... there can be no second chances with England, they are the only side in the Six Nations going backwards
21/03/21 10:31
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England are in a deep hole of their own making and frankly, it's Eddie Jones who has been and is doing all of the digging.

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