CLIVE WOODWARD, the former England and British Lions centre, has quit as coach of London Irish, following the arrival at the club of Willie Anderson.

Woodward, who left the club briefly during the summer when the a.g.m demanded that all officials should be of Irish descent, cannot devote himself full-time to coaching the team and Anderson is now in full charge.

Woodward said: "At a meeting in Belfast two weeks ago I told Willie that if it were necessary for me to stand down in order for the club to secure his services on a full-time basis I would do so.

"Although I did not think it necessary, events and statements made since his arrival on Thursday evening have clearly made this action necessary by me.

"After 2 1/2 years work, the club finds itself back in the first division with all the necessary players.

"They needed a full-time rugby director and forwards' coach. Now they have got one."

In a statement yesterday London Irish said that "in announcing his decision, Clive Woodward pointed to a lack of communication over the past week. Having agreed the new role for Willie Anderson, the club's board felt that all outstanding issues should be resolved privately between Willie and Clive. The board's understanding is that these discussions did commence but had not reached any concrete position before learning of Clive's announcement."

The club said it was "united in its continuing gratitude to Clive for his contribution over the past two and a half years in helping London Irish to attain its current position."