Woodward gets backing of Lions committee

Sir Clive Woodward last night received the endorsement of the Lions committee to lead the Lions in New Zealand at a meeting in Dublin last night.

The former England coach has given the Lions a commitment that he will not take up any other position, either inside or outside rugby, until after the trip next July.

Woodward underlined his wish to lead a successful Lions tour, saying:

“My complete focus is the Lions for the next nine months – there are no distractions either from within rugby or outside it. I am totally committed to the task of planning and delivering a programme that provides the best possible chance of winning the Test series in New Zealand.

“After the Rugby World Cup, a successful British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand is the greatest rugby challenge to face a rugby coach.

In order to achieve this I will need to constantly involve not just the players but their clubs and provinces, whose support will be vital for the success of the tour.

Noel Murphy, of the IRFU, said:

“No one doubts the preparation that will be needed to face the challenges that will await the Lions in New Zealand. This process began with the appointment of Clive in February, and he has reinforced to the committee in person that he will not be taking on any other working commitments until the completion of what we hope will be an outstandingly successful British and Irish Lions tour.

Bill Beaumont, Lions committee chairman, underlined the position when he referred to Woodward as the
“most qualified man to coach the Lions”.