Woodward set to switch codes and become football coach

England coach Clive Woodward, pictured, has stunned the rugby and football establishments after it was reported he is looking to walk away from rugby to become a football coach

England coach Clive Woodward has stunned the rugby and football establishment after it was reported he is looking to walk away from rugby to become a football coach.

According to the Daily Mail, Woodward, who has been England's rugby coach for the past seven years and led them to World Cup victory over Australia last November in Sydney, is hoping to gain a foothold in the English football scene so that he can one day lead the national team.

The newspaper claims that 48-year-old Woodward would speed up a remarkable and unprecedented switch of sports by gaining "elite work experience" with a Premiership soccer club in early 2005.

And that, they suggest, would open the door for bigger things, possibly landing a major role with the England football squad.

Woodward's existing Rugby Football Union contract expires after the 2007 World Cup, when England will defend the Webb Ellis Trophy they won in Australia last autumn.

But the paper claims that Woodward will work a year's notice before ending his Twickenham reign, and also take charge, as planned, of the Lions on their three-Test New Zealand tour next summer.

The RFU, preparing today for England captain Lawrence Dallaglio's expected announcement that he will retire from international rugby with immediate effect, will be aware of the speculation surrounding Woodward, although they have yet to comment.

Woodward has been in charge of England for 83 Tests, winning 59 games and culminating in the World Cup triumph.

There is no clear favourite to replace him, although his current number two Andy Robinson, Gloucester rugby director Nigel Melville and Newcastle boss, former England fly-half Rob Andrew, would all feature as contenders.