England's plans to put together a new management team, with Roger Uttley as manager and Clive Woodward as coach, could come to a grinding halt this week due to the inability of either man to take on the job full time. So far the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has insisted that the national side need full-time professional staff, a stipulation that does not accord with the current commitments of both Uttley and Woodward.

Members of the National Playing Committee (NPC) which will make recommendations on the England posts to the RFU's board of management, are reluctant to appear inconsistent by suggesting part-time appointments, having criticised Jack Rowell the outgoing England coach, for his unwillingness to work full-time. Under pressure from the committee Rowell resigned last Wednesday in order to concentrate on his extensive business interests.

As one Twickenham insider put it yesterday "The RFU could rapidly find itself in the same position with Woodward and Uttley that caused them to become frustrated with Jack. Breakdowns in communication and a certain degree of confusion over training schedules and team matters inevitably go with part-time status. That's why Fran Cotton (vice chairman of the NCP) insisted a professional job could only be done full time."

There is another fly in the ointment. Woodward who like Rowell does not suffer fools gladly, made it clear at the weekend that he would expect to nominate his own coaching and back room staff. That may not suit suit Bill Beaumont, the NPC chairman, and his colleagues: some of them have already formed precise ideas on who they would like to work with Woodward and Uttley.

Guardian Service