Woodward committed to Olympic role '100 per cent'

(GETTY IMAGES)

Sir Clive Woodward yesterday reiterated that he would stay in his role with the British Olympic Association for the next year, rather than leaving to take a job with the Rugby Football Union ahead of this autumn's World Cup.

"I'll be here next year, 100 per cent," Woodward said yesterday when asked whether he would stay with the BOA. Woodward is the director of elite performance at the BOA, a job that he has held since 2006, and he will also be also deputy chef de mission for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics.

Woodward had been the preferred choice to fill the new post of elite performance director at the RFU. Senior RFU executives had been very keen to recruit Woodward, but disagreements over the nature of the role and the recruitment process have led to the departures from the RFU of both John Steele and Martyn Thomas from the positions of chief executive and chairman respectively within the last two months.

England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach had admitted to holding "informal conversations" with the RFU but confirmed in May that he would not be formally interviewed for the role. His statement yesterday further underlined his refusal to take a rugby role before next year's London Games.

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