Woodward - has revolutionised the set-up.

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

At a press conference after England's World Cup victory, Sir Clive Woodward insisted that he must continue to deliver good results or face the axe.

But in truth there are few jobs in sport safer than his.

Martin Johnson was the inspirational leader and Jonny Wilkinson the points machine, but Woodward was the mastermind of England's triumph Down Under and his impact on the national set-up is well appreciated by the Rugby Football Union.

The former Bath and London Irish coach did not always find the right formula in the early days - there were some aberrations in selection while he regretted embarking on the 'Tour to Hell' in 1998.

But, with the backing of the RFU, he has got there in the end by sweeping English rugby into a golden age. His approach to preparation and coaching - every area of the game is headed up by an individual who is an expert in his or her field - now provides the blueprint for his rivals.

He has ended the animosity between Zurich Premiership clubs and England, building a bridge between the two warring factions that has allowed him unparalleled access to players.

Woodward has revolutionised the national set-up and a second successive Grand Slam title is no more than one of the great coaches of British sport deserves.

Of course, few England bosses will have had the great pool of talent that is available to Woodward.

But in the last few years he has rarely got selection wrong, shaking off early romantic notions of winning with style in favour of the more hard-nosed winning at all costs approach which dominates his thinking now.

Many coaches will be planning for the next World Cup, but plotting Italy's downfall on February 15 will be Woodward's only concern at the moment.