Woodward has my phone number if he wants to call, says Thomas

Woodward walked away from the botched recruitment process following the RFU’s indecision about whether the job would include influence over the England team.

The former chief executive John Steele cancelled Woodward’s interview on March 17 and then decided to downgrade the position. Steele was ousted by the RFU management board on Friday,

Woodward has publicly pledged his commitment to the British Olympic Association through to 2012 but is reportedly still interested in taking up the role at Twickenham.

When that was put to Thomas yesterday, he urged Woodward to get in touch before eulogising about the qualities he would bring to the post.

“If that is the case then Clive and I need to speak. Clive knows my telephone number and I would happily speak to Clive Woodward,” said Thomas.

“You have got to respect what the man has done. I accept he had an outstanding bunch of players to work with but he was the guy who plotted England’s (World Cup) success in 2003.

“The detractors will say that he left the union (in 2004) in unfortunate circumstances, that he was critical.

“It was a disagreement with Francis Baron, our previous chief executive. Like divorce it was six of one, half a dozen of the other. Clive has held his hands up to that.

“He had a disastrous Lions tour, okay. He has acknowledged that. It is over. He went to soccer to expand. He has been at the BOA and there has been nothing to blot his copybook at the BOA.

“This guy has a unique set of skills. He not only understands rugby at the elite end but he has developed a talent for sporting success across a variety of disciplines. You have to see him.”

It has been suggested that Woodward could initially take the RFU position as part of a job-share arrangement with the BOA, where he is also performance director, before moving full-time into Twickenham after the Olympics.

But Thomas scotched that notion and confirmed Woodward would have to quit the BOA if he wanted to return to the RFU, seven years after storming out after a row with former chief executive Francis Baron.

Thomas believes Steele has already wasted enough time over the appointment and he is determined to fill the position after the 2011 World Cup.

England Saxons’ scrum-half Paul Hodgson hailed the work of the pack as the hosts hammered Tonga 41-14 at Kingsholm to book a place in the Churchill Cup final.

Stuart Lancaster’s side were awarded three penalty tries by referee Romain Poite as their scrum pulverised their South Sea Island opponents, with captain Jordan Crane and Billy Twelvetrees also crossing for scores in miserable conditions.

Saracens prop Matt Stevens did his World Cup chances no harm with a very impressive display in front of watching England boss Martin Johnson, and man of the match Hodgson was full of praise for the Saxons’ forwards.

“It’s was difficult but the boys did very well,” Hodgson said. “The ball was very slippery but we held onto it well and the forwards were outstanding. It makes the difference when you feel you are behind a pack that is dominating and you can dictate everything else.

“I don’t think I have (played in a game with three penalty tries) but it goes to show how strong our front five and back row were. They worked hard in those scrums and we have worked very hard in that area since the Baa-Baas game.”