Woodward in hunt to succeed Saint-Andre as France coach

England's World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward is in the hunt to succeed Philippe Saint-Andre as France manager, L'Equipe reported on Monday.

The sports daily says the 59-year-old's name is one of the eight candidates on the French rugby federation's shortlist to take over Les Bleus after this year's World Cup.

The federation, which has not identified any of the finalists, will name Saint-Andre's successor by the end of May after the eight remaining candidates are interviewed by the federation's selection panel.

The names most bandied about as Saint-Andre's successor are those of Bordeaux-Begles coach Raphael Ibanez, former Montpellier manager Fabien Galthie and veteran Toulouse coach Guy Noves, who turned down the job in 2011.

L'Equipe suggests that while Woodward may be the best qualified for the job "it seems improbable that he'll become the first foreign coach of Les Bleus".

The new coach will be expected to take up his role from November 1, the day after the final of the World Cup in England.

Woodward was in charge of England from 1997 to 2004, masterminding their 2003 World Cup triumph and three Six Nations titles.

He then joined the British Olympic Committee as performance director, leaving after the London 2012 Games.
Source: AFP