The 2003 World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has been named as the latest inductee into the RPA Hall of Fame.
Sir Clive will be honoured at the RPA Players’ Awards 2018 in association with England Rugby, taking place on Wednesday 9 May at Battersea Evolution, London.
The 62-year-old will join an illustrious list of previous inductees, including Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson, Sir Ian McGeechan, Gareth Edwards, Brian O’Driscoll and the 2017 inductee Dan Carter.
“It is a great honour to be inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame”
Congratulations to Sir @CliveWoodward – our 2018 inductee into the #RPA Hall of Fame! 🏆🌹
Click here to join us at the #RPAAwards2018 in association with @EnglandRugby 👉 https://t.co/j35awAHaen#ForThePlayers pic.twitter.com/LFw752dbEu
— The RPA (@theRPA) April 23, 2018
Sir Clive achieved great success in his role as England head coach with England achieving 22 consecutive wins at Twickenham as well as 14 consecutive victories home and away against Southern Hemisphere opposition.
He also secured three Six Nations wins, including a Grand Slam in 2003, before cementing England’s place in history by winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup against hosts Australia.
Following his World Cup triumph, Sir Clive took on the role of Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions for the 2005 tour of New Zealand before being appointed Director of Sport for Team GB where he played a key role in the success of the London 2012 Olympics.
As a player Sir Clive enjoyed a successful rugby career, joining Harlequins in 1974 and later signing for Leicester Tigers, before making his England debut in 1980.
A talented centre, Sir Clive went on to earn 21 caps for his country and toured with the British & Irish Lions on two occasions in 1980 and 1983. He finished his playing career captaining Manly RFC in Sydney.
“It is a great honour to be inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame, alongside some wonderful players and personalities who have contributed so much to the game,” said Woodward. “I still consider myself a player first and a coach second.
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“It was my experiences as a player that have shaped my approach to coaching. I still view the game through a player’s eyes and I am sure that is why I love the game now as much as ever.
“I would like to thank Damian and the RPA for their tireless support to players and for this great honour. I would also like to thank all those team mates, players, coaches, colleagues and friends who have made rugby so special for me.”
RPA Group CEO, Damian Hopley, said: “Sir Clive remains the only Northern Hemisphere coach to lift the Webb Ellis Cup and his achievements with the national side have rightfully enshrined his place in English rugby history. Many of the infamous class of ’03 have been inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame and it is rightly fitting that Sir Clive joins them.”
The RPA Hall of Fame inductees are selected by the RPA Players’ Board for having made an outstanding contribution to the international game.