England’s Grandmaster ponders his next move

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful What’s happening here?

It’s December 16, 2003 at Pennyhill Park where the England squad are gathering less than a month after their World Cup triumph to face a New Zealand Barbarians XV in a curious long-forgotten fixture which at least gave England fans a chance to greet some of the squad at Twickenham. Woodard has been persuaded to pose for a picture playing chess in the library-like lounge of England’s team hotel.

What’s the story behind the picture?

Sports coaches scheming and plotting both for the immediate and the future, is an old one and placing such a coach in front of a chessboard is a sometimes-irresistible image for snappers.

Grandmasters are expected to always have the overview and the ability to pull various strategies together. Some play resolutely to their strengths and challenge their opponent to somehow better them in that regard. Others are less regimented and more instinctive and enjoy a punt, or look at devising new tactics and methods as opposition teams mimic their winning ways and overtake them. Sometimes you have to give something up or make a sacrifice – a gambit to borrow from chess again – to advance.

There is much of that in the Woodward story. He took over an England side that was not punching its full weight, inherited an insane summer tour schedule in 1998, took a punt and sent a young inexperienced team, got kicked from pillar to post but in adversity unearthed four or five new players who had a big future.

Then he started the campaign proper and began to move the pawns and pieces into place.

England blew a possible Grand Slam in 1999 and still weren’t ready for RWC1999 but the intensity of the England effort mounted week on week. Better coaching, skills specialist, improving players, fitter athletes, world class facilities, Rugby League imports and a big development tour to North America while the Lions were in Australia.

What happened next?

England inched ever closer to success. Two more missed Slams before landing it in 2003, victories away to Australia and New Zealand to put the record straight from 1998 and eventually less than a month before this picture was taken the ultimate prize. Checkmate. The opposition had been routed.

This match was a lap of honour, a 42-17 win against an odd-looking mix and match New Zealand B team but there were a few warning signs for those who were listening. Some clubs were up in arms that the RFU had arranged yet another England payday, players were missing vital Premiership games. The clubs weren’t getting value for money from their world cup winners.

Why is the picture iconic?

Context is important here, because unwittingly the snapper Warren Little has captured quite a moment in time for Woodward as he ponders his next move. He and his England team have just been crowned world champions, the victory parade through London is a fresh memory and just a few nights prior to this Woodward had thrown a memorable celebration dinner in the Long Room at Lord’s for staff, camp followers and media – those who had followed the England story from humiliation in Brisbane in 1998 to triumph in Sydney five years later.

But a new game was already underway and new moves were needed. November 22, 2003 was history and the southern hemisphere giants were on the march again.

Despite the glory of victory, England had to up their game massively to counter the coming onslaught and Woodward had to tackle both the RFU and clubs to counter that threat. The blazers appeared complacent, job done, party time.

In fairness, at the cajoling of CEO Francis Baron, they had backed Woodward and provided ample funds – that must be recognised – but for Woodward it was just the start, not the end game.

For that he needed more time with the players in the elite surroundings he had established with expert medical and conditioning back up. He wanted his squad as rested and fresh as possible and had been shocked that most of them were playing again for their clubs a week after arriving back from Australia. He wanted their game time and training workload at club level reduced and monitored, no rushing key players back from injuries, sufficient rest after head knocks.

It was a game he was destined to lose. The RFU insisted there was no more money and the player workload grew ever greater. Lawrence Dallaglio at Wasps, having played every minute of England’s World Cup campaign for example, threw himself into the last half of their Premiership campaign and play-offs which ultimately resulted in the title and also embarked on an epic European Cup campaign which saw Wasps complete the double.

No wonder that he and the likes of Josh Lewsey and Simon Shaw and indeed most of the England squad were in bits by the time they had completed the 2004 Six Nations and then lost heavily to New Zealand and Australia down under that summer. Dallaglio announced his retirement from England although he was to reverse that decision in 2006.

Footnote: Something had to give and, after two days of last-ditch negotiations had broken down on September 3, 2004, it was Woodward who gave way and resigned.