Clive Woodward became England’s first full time professional coach when he succeeded Jack Rowell in September 1997 and now has his sights set on another record: To become the first northern hemisphere coach to win the Rugby World Cup.
The 47 year old, who signed a new four year contract in July, has been working towards this goal since England’s quarter final defeat by South Africa in 1999 and boasts an impressive record of 26 wins in 28 Tests over the last three years.
Woodward, whose father was an RAF pilot, took his first steps as a coach with Henley in the early 1990s before spells with London Irish, England Under 21 and a brief stint as assistant coach with Bath in 1996.
A sports science student at Loughborough University, Woodward played for Harlequins before joining Leicester and making the breakthrough into the England team with his debut coming as a replacement against Ireland in January 1980.
The centre, a Five Nations Grand Slam winner in 1980, played for England a further 20 times with his final cap coming against Wales in March 1984. By that time Woodward had toured twice with the British and Irish Lions, playing in two Tests.
Woodward also played for Australian side Manly.