Sir Clive Woodward says England’s victory over Wales on Saturday has convinced him of their claims to win the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Woodward is the only coach to have led England to Webb Ellis Trophy glory but he feels Eddie Jones has found the right mix to match his side’s 2003 heroics.
England made it 16 straight wins, 15 of those coming under Jones, when a late try from Elliot Daly secured a 21-16 win over the Welsh at the Principality Stadium.
And Woodward feels the nature of that tough success, added to the battling victory over France and considering the number of first-choice players missing, have proved Jones has the options to compete with the best the southern hemisphere can provide.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Woodward said: “Saturday night at the Principality Stadium was the performance and win that convinced me that England under Eddie Jones have it in them to kick on and arrive in Japan in 2019 as the world’s No 1 team and favourites to win rugby’s biggest prize.
“From this point on opposition teams will be obsessing on how to beat England just as much as how to defeat New Zealand.
“There was always a good chance England would respond positively to the disappointment of the last World Cup and a new coach normally has a galvanising effect but they are now accelerating way beyond that.
“This is a team who always find a way to win – Grand Slams, Test matches in Australia, playing poorly against France, and now at a frenzied Cardiff in a truly great game of rugby.
“That’s not to say England were perfect against Wales, far from it. Wales dominated large periods but increasingly I am impressed by England’s coolness under fire and how key players are making the right decisions and big plays under pressure. England are doing lots of little things well under extreme pressure.
“That’s what I mean by the tipping point. How little things can make a big difference. That’s precisely where England are now.
“England, as they did against France, kept their cool under pressure and produced the goods in the final 10 minutes, when so many Test matches are decided.”
