Clive Woodward was born in 1956 and educated at HMS Conway Naval School and Loughborough University where he obtained a degree in Sports Science. He captained the Loughborough University XV and joined first Harlequins and then Leicester where he formed a formidable centre partnership with Paul Dodge. He represented England on twenty-one occasions and toured twice with The British Lions.

Retiring after an outstanding international career, he was posted by his company Rank Xerox to Sydney where he became captain of the Manly club. Returning to England five years later with his wife and family, he established his own successful computer leasing company in Maidenhead and began his remarkable career as a rugby coach with the nearby Henley club.

After innovative spells coaching London Irish and Bath and the England Under 21s, he was appointed by the Rugby Football Union as England's Rugby's Head Coach in 1997. He immediately transformed the traditional practices of previous set-ups, introducing business principles, setting long term goals, paying attention to detail and planning the personal development of individuals in the basic skills, tactics and strategy of modern rugby.