Sir Clive Woodward is in contention to replace Philippe Saint-Andre as head coach of France, according to reports in the French press.
L’Equipe claims Woodward, who oversaw England’s 2003 World Cup triumph, met with French rugby bosses last month and is one of eight shortlisted candidates.
When approached by BBC Sport, the French Rugby Federation refused to comment on who had applied.
Saint-Andre is set to leave his position after this year’s World Cup.
Sir Clive Woodward CV |
|
|---|---|
|
1974 – 1990 |
Capped 21 times for England, and centre for Harlequins and Leicester |
|
1994 -1997 |
Coached at London Irish, Bath and England U21s |
|
1997 – 2004 |
England’s first professional coach. Won Six Nations and World Cup in 2003 |
|
2005 |
British and Irish Lions coach. Fell to a series whitewash in New Zealand |
|
2005 – 2006 |
Director of football at Southampton |
|
2006 – 2012 |
British Olympic Association; Team GB’s director of sport |
|
2012 – present |
Newspaper columnist and rugby pundit |
The former Sale and Gloucester coach has failed to impress since taking over Les Blues in 2012, having won only 15 of his 37 Tests in charge.
Toulouse boss Guy Noves remains the front-runner for the job.
Woodward coached England from 1997 to 2004, leading them to World Cup success in Australia.
The former Leicester centre was also in charge of the British and Irish Lions during their 3-0 tour defeat by New Zealand in 2005, before time spent working in football with Southampton and for the British Olympic Association (BOA). He left his post as BOA director of sport in October 2012 after the Olympic Games.
