A winning masterplan

Support from clubs

Clubs and the Rugby Football Union have been at war over access to players since the game turned professional in 1995, but they finally reached a landmark agreement in September last year with the World Cup in mind. Clive Woodward negotiated 20 release dates beyond the eight scheduled weeks set aside for the build-up to international matches. Woodward said: "Other sports may well look at this and think, 'Wow'". The clubs accepted a successful national team will benefit everyone in the game. Contrast this to the reluctance of top football managers, such as Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, to release their players. Sven-Goran Eriksson even arranged a special summit to sort out the arguments but failed to get a lasting agreement.

Concessions

Even though the RFU can threaten to withhold funding from clubs if they fail to co-operate, the "old farts" are becoming more sympathetic to the Zurich Premiership's needs. For example, the four England coaches - Woodward, Andy Robinson, Brian Ashton and Phil Larder - help out three Premiership teams each and are available during the season as training consultants. Also for the first time, the 12 Premiership clubs are set to be compensated with £100,000 each from the proceeds of England's homecoming fixture with New Zealand Barbarians on 20 December. Meanwhile, members of football's elite G14 group of clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, are on course for a battle with FIFA over their claim for £3,500 per day from national associations for the use of their players.

Country first

Since the last World Cup in 1999, the RFU have spent £30million - spread over four years - on their elite player programme. The idea was to identify the 30 top players capable of beating the world's best. England's World Cup campaign alone cost £1.9m. It represented a major punt by the RFU but they are now hoping to recoup some of the cash through increased sponsorship and TV money. It is impossible to make a like for like comparison with the Football Association, which does not run a comparable programme for elite England players. However, it hands over £30m each year to both the amateur and professional games. It is up to the clubs how they spend that cash. As for Eriksson's England team, the FA pay for top hotels and training facilities when the national squad meet up.

Unity

The elite player programme has brought the senior squad, the 'A' team, the Under-21s and the sevens under the same financial umbrella. Young players such as Josh Lewsey and Steve Thompson were identified in the sevens and U-21s and fast-tracked up the ladder to the senior team. In football, performances in the Premiership are usually the main criteria for selection.

Faith in coach

As Ferguson has demonstrated, continuity can breed success. Woodward has been national coach since 1997 and the RFU resisted the temptation to sack him after England's quarter-final exit to South Africa in 1999. Over the same period, the England football team have been coached by Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Howard Wilkinson, Peter Taylor and Eriksson.