Sir Clive Woodward, the mastermind behind England’s historic 2003 Rugby World Cup win, remains one of rugby’s most influential figures.
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However, his strong opinions have occasionally rubbed players and coaches the wrong way.
From outspoken criticism to personal jibes, here are five rugby stars who have publicly clashed with Sir Clive Woodward.
1. Joe Marler
The England prop Joe Marler has never been one to shy away from confrontation, and his ongoing spat with Sir Clive Woodward is no exception. The tension escalated in late 2022 after Woodward publicly criticised Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their conduct in a press conference before England’s heavy defeat to South Africa.
Marler, known for his candid social media presence, hit back after reading Woodward’s comments on Rugby Pass. In a direct tweet to Woodward, he wrote, “Change the record Sir Clive – you should be grateful you can ‘milk the cow’ for another 3 years.”
Their clashing personalities have seen multiple run-ins over the years, with Woodward often criticising Marler’s on-field antics and off-field attitude.
