By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

Clive Woodward and his World Cup winners may be taking all the plaudits following their heroics Down Under, but London Irish coach Gary Gold believes the Rugby Football Union should also be commended.

RFU bosses kept faith with Woodward despite a disappointing performance at the competition four years ago, presenting him with the resources and support necessary to turn England into world champions.

They also gave Woodward - a former London Irish coach - an extended contract in July which has installed him as boss until the end of the 2007 tournament, and Gold admires the loyalty the RFU have shown their prized asset.

"I thought England were outstanding in the final, like they have been for the last two and a half years. I just wish clubs and organisations would see the value of continuity and see the value of backing a guy with vision," said the South African

"It was a magnificent performance and the RFU should be given credit for the support they've shown Clive. They kept faith with him even though everything did not go to plan in 1999 and it's paid off."

Gold believes that England's nail-biting victory - won by Jonny Wilkinson's extra time drop-goal - was far more emphatic than the 20-17 scoreline suggests given that the Wallabies had home advantage.

"I was in South Africa during the 1995 tournament and everyone will tell you that New Zealand were the better team throughout the competition. But playing at home was such a massive advantage for the Springboks," he said

"For England to beat Australia in their own backyard was a tremendous achievement - you can add 30 points onto their score. They deserved to win the tournament and it would have been wrong had any other team won it."