Sir Clive Woodward set to play a part in controversial review of England's woeful Rugby World Cup performance

  • A five-strong RFU panel will review England's woeful World Cup campaign 
  • Sir Clive Woodward was initially not chosen as part of the review panel 
  • After uproar, it is looking increasingly likely he will present his views
  • Woodward was in charge when England won the World Cup in 2003 
  • Rugby World Cup 2015: Click here for all the latest from the RWC

By Charles Sale for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:30 EST, 23 October 2015 | Updated: 19:13 EST, 23 October 2015

Rugby World Cup winner Sir Clive Woodward is looking increasingly likely to play a part in the controversial review into England's woeful performance in the 2015 tournament.

There has been uproar throughout the game at the insular make-up of the five-strong RFU panel – Ian Ritchie, Ian Metcalfe, Ian Watmore , Sir Ian McGeechan and Ben Kay - that will decide the future of England head coach Stuart Lancaster and his assistants.

Such is the upset at what's regarded as a group set up to deliver a whitewash job – certainly in safeguarding the RFU high command if not the doomed Lancaster – that some RFU councillors are already agitating for another review of the review.

Sir Clive Woodward is now likely to play a part in the review into England's woeful World Cup performance

Sir Clive Woodward is now likely to play a part in the review into England's woeful World Cup performance

Woodward, who was in charge of the England team that won the World Cup in 2003 (L), was initially overlooked

Woodward, who was in charge of the England team that won the World Cup in 2003 (L), was initially overlooked

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie decided the five-man panel, which will dissect England's World Cup failure

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie decided the five-man panel, which will dissect England's World Cup failure

Woodward, the people's favourite, not being chosen as one of RFU chief executive Ritchie's handpicked group despite masterminding England's only World Cup triumph has been the cause of much disbelief throughout the sport.

But it now seems that Woodward will be given the opportunity to present his views to Ritchie on where England went so badly wrong.

An RFU spokesman said: 'The chief executive will be meeting a whole range of people from inside and outside the RFU on a confidential basis.' 

Comments (8)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now