Woodward sympathy for Ashton

World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward stepped into the club-versus-country row by claiming England`s bosses are working with "one hand tied behind their backs".

Woodward insisted he felt for new England coach Brian Ashton and his predecessor Andy Robinson who were behind players being rested before big internationals.

Woodward told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I totally empathise with Ashton and Robinson. It is not an easy job when you compare England with their major competitors - South Africa, New Zealand and Australia - and you see what they are doing. When you look especially at New Zealand, we are trying to beat them with one hand tied behind our backs."

Woodward, director of elite performance at the British Olympic Association, added: "Nothing has changed although Rob [Andrew] has changed sides now he is the RFU chief but I guess that is fair enough.

"You don`t want to say every player should be rested before big matches. It doesn`t work for every player. For example Martin Johnson played better for England when he had played for his club the week before.

"It is easy to say leave them all out but you have to treat it on its merits.

"It`s not about central contracts - that`s a red herring. It`s about making sure the England coach has the final say. If you have the right man in charge he should make the right decision."

Newcastle agreed to rest Jonny Wilkinson from Guinness Premiership action this weekend to give him the best preparation for England's crunch RBS 6 Nations trip to Ireland.

The decision followed a request from the RFU for the Premiership clubs to rest the England starting XV named on Tuesday by Ashton.

Premier Rugby executive Phil Winstanley has urged other top-flight clubs not give in to the RFU's "emotional blackmail''.