Woodward warning over Cup training

England rugby coach Clive Woodward said today that the target of winning the World Cup next year would not be achieved using the training programme which has been in place over the last 12 months.

Woodward, who was today launching a countdown to the World Cup to be played in Australia starting in October next year, said: "I believe that the plan is very fair, very straightforward, and is putting England first."

But he warned: "If we have the programme we have had for the last 12 months, we will not do it in the World Cup."

Even so, Woodward is pressing on with planning for the World Cup which will include specific targeting of up to 60 elite players who will take part in an annual development programme.

Three senior England coaches will each be allocated four Premiership clubs so that they can work with the top players directly.

In addition to Test match preparation-Woodward plans 20 training days for the squad but said: "My personal opinion is that it's too light if we are setting the objective of being the best team in the world."

But Woodward, who met 20 of his players yesterday, said that they are "more than cool" about the training days.

Players will be asked to take part in no more than 32 matches next season, covering 10 international games and 22 Premiership matches.

Woodward was speaking at Twickenhamthe day after the directors of the 12 Zurich Premiership clubs failed to attend a meeting with him to discuss all aspects of the run-up to the World Cup.

"I was desperately disappointed that the directors of rugby were not there," said Woodward.

However, in a statement Premier Rugby said: "The Board of England Rugby directed the performance department, including Clive Woodward, to accept the invitation from the clubs' Directors of Rugby to present-his proposal at a specially convened private meeting with the aim of reaching common ground.

"Unfortunately the nature of this meeting was substantially changed, and not in line with the agreed England Rugby decision."

Meanwhile, Six Nations rugby chairman Allan Hosie has dismissed claims that negotiations for a new four-year championships television deal have broken down after the BBC offered just £70 million for the rights.

Rugbymail.co.uk