Rugby, Australian Football: It's Official - Sir Clive Woodward resigns, page 1

Sir Clive Woodward resigned as coach of the England rugby union team with immediate effect today.

Woodward's deputy, Andy Robinson, has been promoted to acting head coach. Former England centre Woodward, due to coach the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand next year, quit admid reports he is contemplating a move into soccer.

The 48-year-old has been linked with a role at English Premiership side Southampton.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, a friend of Woodward's, was coy about what role, if any, the former England supremo will have at St Mary's, commenting: "We are not able to say anything for definite at the moment."

Gloucester coach Nigel Melville and Newcastle counterpart Rob Andrew, two of the leading candidates to succeed Woodward, both distanced themselves from the England job today, both men saying they intend to honour their club contracts.