Woodward relishing Dublin finale

Woodward relishing Dublin finale

By Jonathon Moore
Rugby union editor, Twickenham

England coach Clive Woodward is in upbeat mood

Clive Woodward's smile said it all.

"I can always tell how we've played by the mood in the changing room," he said after his side's 40-9 victory.

"And it's a happy changing room in there."

England have good reason to celebrate. They have reached the final weekend of the RBS Six Nations unscathed and now face a championship decider against Ireland - albeit in Dublin.

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Their performance against the Scots was not quite vintage, but it is a testament to how far Woodward's England have come that a 40-point Calcutta Cup victory demands eyebrows to be raised and questions to be asked.

In contrast to last weekend's 30 minute first-half blitz against Italy, England started slowly.

I wanted a real head-to-head next weekend and now we've got it

England coach Clive Woodward

Two Jonny Wilkinson penalties set them off and despite an impressive Scottish showing there was never any doubt the home side would extend their winning run to 21 matches.

Scotland vainly tried to halt what amounted to continuous English assaults in the second period, but to no avail.

Perhaps, as Wales discovered to their cost with a 25-24 home defeat against Ireland in Cardiff, this was never meant to be a weekend for shock results.

Match report:
England 40-9 Scotland

"I thought the scoreline flattered England actually," stated Scotland coach Ian McGeechan, who will hang up his coaching boots at the end of the season.

The Scots came desperately close at times, but for all their effort, they were ultimately outclassed on the day by a side who look destined for Grand Slam glory.

Irish fans, as is their right, will sorely disagree.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan felt the scoreline was harsh

But Eddie O'Sullivan's side will have to play with more fervour, more control and more confidence than they displayed on Saturday to derail Woodward's bandwagon again.

It all adds up to a wonderful climax and makes a mockery of the assumption that the championship would be decided after England's opening home match against France.

"I was hoping that Ireland would win," confessed Woodward. "I found out the score before kick-off and I think it's great for the sport.

O'Driscoll: We can beat England

"I wanted a real head-to-head next weekend and now we've got it. I'm delighted for the boys because we've had a couple of cracks at this Grand Slam thing, so far without success."

Woodward will not admit it, but should this Grand Slam slip through his fingers and the World Cup go awry, there is every chance he could be facing calls to step down this winter.

"Every Grand Slam is big," Woodward said. "But in a World Cup year it is a huge bonus.

I only have one demand of my players against Italy.... that we win

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan

"It really gives you a huge amount of confidence going into a massive tournament such as that and sets you up for the year ahead."

For both sides, the next seven days rank among the most important of their careers. But while both England and Ireland go in search of glory, Scotland must instead make do with a virtually meaningless home game against Italy.

It is not how McGeechan, one of the greatest coaches in the history of the game, would have hoped to have bowed out of the Six Nations.

"I only have one demand of my players against Italy," he said. "That we win."

Both Woodward and O'Sullivan will demand the same of their teams come Sunday.