Woodward learns lessons

Coach Clive Woodward hailed the British and Irish Lions tour as a success despite losing the third and final test 38-19 to New Zealand and the series 3-0. "I think the better team won, we've got to hold our hands up. "Obviously we are disappointed - we ca

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Woodward, who has been roundly condemned at home for the Lions performances, denied the coaching staff had let down the touring side and called the seven-week tour "one of the most challenging and difficult" events of his life.

"We gave everything tonight but in the end we weren't quite sharp enough, defensively we let another two soft tries in tonight. Their skill levels are just a little above ours at the moment if we're honest.

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"It's actually been a successful tour, it's been a great experience. I don't believe the coaching has been of a different class at all.

"I chose the six top coaches in the UK to come out with me - I just think we got a bad run of injuries, we had to chop and change a little more than I hoped to and we just couldn't get it going.

"It's not the time to apportion blame - apart from myself, I'm in charge, I'm the guy that has to shoulder the responsibility of winning or losing," said Woodward who guided England to victory in the 2003 World Cup.

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