SIR CLIVE WOODWARD
WHO ARE YOUR WORLD CUP DARK HORSES? THE team I always love in World Cups is France. They have an incredible record: finalists three times and they should have won it in 2011 when they lost to New Zealand. France are the one team I’d love to coach because, quite simply, they have great players. And they thrive in this knockout-type atmosphere, where people write them off. No one is talking about France but you look at their team and it’s a good side. They are my team to watch out for. IS THERE A TEAM THAT MIGHT DISAPPOINT? THE New Zealand team isn’t quite what it used to be and the opening game against South Africa is just massive. I’ll never say a thing against New Zealand rugby: they have an amazing track record. But this team isn’t quite as scary as the All Blacks of four years ago. I think they will make the final even if they lose to South Africa today.
WHO WILL BE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT?
YOU hope there is going to be a surprise but I always believe the No 10 is key in any team. I’m a massive Owen Farrell fan, whether he plays 10 or 12. I think he’ll play 12, which I’d support, as George Ford has really come into his own. If Farrell has a great World Cup, England can win it. Then you have Handre Pollard for South Africa and Beauden Barrett for New Zealand, whether he plays 10 or 15. They’re the three players to look for because they’re the goal-kickers as well. You have to drop some goals and we were lucky to have Jonny Wilkinson in 2003 when he was fundamental to England winning. But those three players will be the key and out of the three of them, Farrell is top dog. He has every chance of having a great tournament and captaining England to victory. ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT REFEREEING? I HOPE the World Cup is not dominated by referees. The high-tackle rule is there, every coach knows it and under the pressure of these big games you have to be coaching your team to keep their heads. You can’t go in with your shoulders, you have to try to grip guys, go in low. Even a flailing arm can be a yellow or red. England have five or six guys who have a history of yellow and reds and even a yellow in a semi-final can cost you the game. So they have to play with discipline. There are no excuses because referees have made it clear this is going to happen.
WHICH TEAMS WILL MAKE THE FINAL?
I BELIEVE England will play South Africa in the semi-finals and they’ll beat them. So it could be an England v All Blacks final, which would be great. If England make the final — because they have a hell of a route to get there — they’ll have no fears. I’m obviously very patriotic when it comes to England but this is not just heart, this is head. Look at the players: four or five of them would walk into any team in this World Cup. Unlike in 2015 and 2011, they have a coach who has been there, has the T-shirt, and knows how to win. I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of Eddie Jones’ links with Japan either. He’s coached Japan, his background and history is in Japan. Hopefully the Japanese fans will get behind them because of Jones.
AND A BOLD PREDICTION?
ENGLAND winning is a pretty bold statement because everyone wants to beat them! My other prediction is about Japan. They did not start that well in the opening game against Russia but this team is special. They could make the quarters, they’re well coached, at home and they have quite a good group. They have a real chance of once again causing a real upset against both Ireland and Scotland. Beyond Japan the last eight are very predictable, which is something that World Rugby must keep trying to address.