Odd integrate Sir Clive Woodward and Martin Johnson can replenish their vows Six Nations Rugby

Mark Souster & , : {}

Picture the scene. Twickenham, this summer. Sir Clive Woodward pulls into the car park of the RFUs shiny new offices, steps out and looks at the towering new South Stand above.

He smiles and says to himself: It is good to be back. He turns and sees Martin Johnson approaching, the two architects of Englands world domination seven years ago. The pair shake hands. They may have been Englands odd couple but as history has shown, they were a highly effective double act. A new era begins.

As matters stand, it is a hypothetical scenario but it is one that has been, and continues to be, the subject of intense discussion and speculation at the highest levels within Twickenham. In the new set-up, their roles might change from those of yesteryear, but Johnson would still report to Woodward, a man for whom he has the utmost respect. With 18 months to go to the next World Cup in New Zealand, time is short. As hosts in 2015, England cannot afford to stagnate.

If Johnson and Woodward were to be reunited, it would be the end product of a process that some would like to see begin sooner rather than later and include the return of Woodward at the expense of Rob Andrew. Woodward would become the new director of elite rugby as a man for whom the job specification could have been written a role that he narrowly missed out on 3 years ago, to his continued chagrin.

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That was when Andrew, who had been director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons for the best part of a decade, came with a late run to overtake him, with his appointment being rubber-stamped by Francis Baron, the chief executive, who leaves the RFU in July.

Andrew played an important role in the negotiations with the Guinness Premiership clubs that brought about the long-term peace deal signed two season ago. However, his control of the elite game has not met universal acclaim. As the temporary team manager on the tour to New Zealand in 2008, he was the subject of intense criticism as the trip disintegrated in the wake of rape allegations and two heavy defeats by the All Blacks. He pointedly refused to take responsibility for that, a criticism that in the wider context of the elite game and Englands failings has been levelled at him subsequently.

There is a belief that change is needed at Twickenham on the executive as well as playing side and that the appointment of the new chief executive, together with perhaps a new director of elite rugby, will reflect this mood. Russell Reynolds, the headhunting firm, was recently charged with finding a successor for Baron, but there would appear to be no rush to have whoever that may be in situ, possibly even until the late summer.

The appointment panel will be led by Martyn Thomas, the RFU chairman. Whoever takes over must have a greater empathy for and understanding of the game than it is felt Baron possessed. Staffing levels of more than 500 will also be closely looked at.

At the weekend, Lawrence Dallaglio made it clear where he felt the blame lay for Englands playing shortcomings, squarely with Andrew and the environment he has created. There is so much that is not right about the England set-up, the former England captain said. In the hard-to-stomach category, the lack of honesty has been right up there with the lack of creativity.

Andrew was quoted as saying, England are on the way back, there is no question of that. Please, do not insult our intelligence.

He is firmly in the Woodward camp. I believe Johnson was a good choice [as England team manager], but I am also convinced that he could have done with Woodward backing him up. Woodward is the man for the big picture, the guy who establishes a squads core values and gives them an overall purpose and the means to achieve it.

Clive talked endlessly about world-class standards producing world-class players; he got us to focus on being the No 1 team in rugby, not just in European rugby. He committed to providing us with the best facilities, but said he expected world-class standards in return.

Those comments have put Andrew on red alert, wondering whether it is the start of an orchestrated campaign to remove him. He will be aware, too, that Woodward, who regrets the manner of his messy departure from Twickenham, has made it clear he would wish to end his career in the game he loves, having provided England with their greatest triumph under his watch.