Woodward, speaking immediately after Robinsons official appointment as Englands head coach, gave his former number two his full backing.

Im very very pleased for Andy, he deserves it, said Woodward.

Hell have my full support from the outside. Its a difficult job but Im sure theyve chosen the right guy and I look forward to seeing how he gets on.

Woodward has no doubts that Robinson will do things his own way and is excited by the prospect of seeing how things develop from the outside.

Im really looking to Andy now to move things on to the next level, and I hope the continuity does continue, Woodward said.

Woodward revealed that one of the factors in his own decision to relinquish the England job was that he thought Robinson deserved the chance to show what he is capable of in the top job.

Andys had four years waiting for his chance and that was one reason I decided to move on. Its up to Robinson now to do it his own way.

Hes got to choose the right people to be around him, and Im sure he understands the importance of strong leadership within a team.

Woodward, who had just received an honorary degree from Loughborough University where much of his philosophy on coaching was formed, was keen to stress that the England set-up is now out of his hands, and he did not want to second guess how Robinson might take the team forward.

I shook Andys hand (when Woodward left the England set-up) and its important that I now stand out of it now hes going to take over. Ill obviously be interested given that Im the Lions coach, I obviously want England to go well.

Im interested to see how he goes about doing it, hes got to do it his own way and Im sure he will.

Woodward went on to stress the huge responsibility that goes hand in hand with coaching the world champions.

It is a huge responsibility and you cant afford to just stand still because you know the other teams are working just as hard to catch you up, and I think Andy Robinson is the right guy.

England skipper Wilkinson tonight welcomed Robinson's appointment as successor to Woodward.

The England and Newcastle fly-half said: "Andy is an outstanding coach and an incredible leader.

"He brings so much experience and commitment to the job, and I know I speak for the whole of the England squad when I say we are thrilled he will be in charge.

"He commands respect from the pitch and in the England changing room, and there is not a player I know that doesn't want to give him 100%.

"We have some challenging and exciting times ahead, and as England captain, I look forward to working with Andy as my head coach.''