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Wilkinson backs Woodward's return
 Wilkinson has not played for England since the World Cup final. LONDON, England -- Clive Woodward should return to rugby as England's performance director, World Cup-winning fly-half Jonny Wilkinson said on Tuesday. Woodward coached England to the world title in 2003 before switching sports to soccer where he now works as football director for second division club Southampton. "It is rare for me to go public with an opinion on an issue as political as this but I am happy on this occasion to urge the RFU to go for Clive Woodward," Wilkinson wrote in his column in The Times. Wilkinson has not played for England since kicking the drop goal which won the World Cup final against Australia following a succession of injury problems. "I believe he has the skills to do the job well, indeed his particular strengths from his time as England coach are the very credentials that would transfer into his new role," Wilkinson added. "Where Clive was so good was his foresight and his ability to understand the next move forward. "If he was allowed to plan again for England, I believe we could move back to where we were, half a step ahead of the game instead of half a step behind." England coach Andy Robinson is heading up a new-look management team on the current tour of Australia following another disappointing Six Nations campaign. 
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