Sir Clive Woodward's Fiercest Critics: Five Rugby Stars Who Took Him On

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Sir Clive Woodward, the mastermind behind England’s historic 2003 Rugby World Cup win, remains one of rugby's most influential figures.

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However, his strong opinions have occasionally rubbed players and coaches the wrong way.

From outspoken criticism to personal jibes, here are five rugby stars who have publicly clashed with Sir Clive Woodward.

1. Joe Marler

The England prop Joe Marler has never been one to shy away from confrontation, and his ongoing spat with Sir Clive Woodward is no exception. The tension escalated in late 2022 after Woodward publicly criticised Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their conduct in a press conference before England’s heavy defeat to South Africa.

Marler, known for his candid social media presence, hit back after reading Woodward’s comments on Rugby Pass. In a direct tweet to Woodward, he wrote, "Change the record Sir Clive – you should be grateful you can 'milk the cow' for another 3 years."

Their clashing personalities have seen multiple run-ins over the years, with Woodward often criticising Marler’s on-field antics and off-field attitude.

2. Eddie Jones

Former England head coach Eddie Jones hasn't been shy about his disdain for Woodward. Their rivalry stretches back to when Jones was coaching Australia and Woodward was in charge of England. However, it deepened during Jones' tenure with the England national team.

"He hasn't coached since 2005 and he's the 'world's best coach'. You're the world's best coach when you don't coach," Jones told James Graham's The Bye Round podcast.

Jones also revealed a behind-the-scenes power struggle, claiming Woodward lobbied for a position as England’s director of rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. "He did it behind my back, and I thought it was quite sneaky and deceitful," Jones said.

3. Austin Healey

Despite sharing the glory of England's 2003 World Cup win, Austin Healey's relationship with Woodward soured during the tournament. Healey was flown out to Australia as injury cover, but when the injured players recovered, he was never officially added to the squad. This meant Healey missed out on a World Cup winner’s medal despite travelling to Australia.

Though Healey hasn't been as vocal as others, his exclusion left a bitter taste, with many believing the versatile back deserved more recognition for his involvement.

4. James Haskell

Former England flanker James Haskell has been another vocal critic of Woodward's approach to punditry, particularly his unrelenting critiques of Eddie Jones.

In an interview with The Mirror, Haskell praised Jones for his management style and questioned Woodward’s persistent negativity. "It's a hard one for me because the only person who appears to never be happy when Eddie Jones is doing well is Clive Woodward," Haskell said.

Haskell further noted, "Clive hasn't coached in rugby since 2005 and really has no concept of what's going on in the set-up. He's desperate to pick this job up between Eddie and the RFU… I find it astounding."

5. Simon Raiwalui

Following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Woodward announced his departure from ITV's rugby punditry team, where he had been a staple for years. While the news was met with disappointment from some, others were quick to express their relief. One such figure was Simon Raiwalui, the former Fiji head coach and current World Rugby high-performance pathways manager.

In a cutting remark shared with The Times, Raiwalui simply stated, "The rugby public instantly got smarter!" – a clear swipe at Woodward's often polarising presence in the media.

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If you're over 30 and can't name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it's time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.

From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we'd rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby's golden era. If the names don't come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.

Think you've got what it takes to ace this one? Let's find out. Good luck!

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