Woodward very upbeat
2003-09-08 15:57
Bagshot, England - Clive Woodward is not scared of England being labelled favourites for next month's Rugby World Cup.
"It's not a statement I'm scared of. I think we are favourites, along with the All Blacks," the England coach said Monday.
"It's bound to happen if you look at our recent results.
"But we're just going to play game by game. Being favourites means nothing at all, it's all about winning your next game."
Woodward admitted he would have picked a different squad had he selected his 30-strong party before the warm-up Tests against Wales and France.
"If I'm brutally honest, if we'd picked the 30 players six weeks ago there'd be a few differences," said Woodward.
"It has allowed me to get it spot on in terms of picking the right 30 players."
Woodward believes England are better prepared than in 1999.
"I think a lot has happened since 99 in terms of how we prepare," he said.
"We've obviously got an outstanding squad. I think we have got the balance about right.
"I'm just really looking forward to the whole experience now."