'Attack' not personal, says Carling

Will Carling today denied that his criticism after England's 20-15 defeat by France amounted to a personal attack on coach Clive Woodward.

Carling said in Standard Sport yesterday that if Woodward had been in charge of a Tri-nations team that had missed out on the big prizes in four successive seasons, he would probably have been sacked. The former England captain also questioned the sense of playing Henry Paul in Paris.

Woodward today claimed it was a personal attack from Carling, saying: "I don't know him. I don't think I've met him and I don't wish to. He has hurt a lot of people in his time and I don't want to give him any credibility. That would be wrong. Maybe he's got something against me.

"I see the bigger picture and two weeks ago we were number one in the world after beating Ireland. It's strange that people have a shot at us only when we lose and since the World Cup we've won 20 out of 24 matches."

Carling, who won three Grand Slams as England captain, responded: "It's not a personal attack on Clive, who I have met a couple of times. I've even had breakfast with him. He e-mailed me before Christmas suggesting we meet. I am a huge England fan and it's not about Clive. It's about England having a side I believe have been capable of winning the Grand Slam and haven't because there are certain flaws that are not being remedied."