The former England coach, who was preparing his northern hemisphere team for the Tsunami relief game at Twickenham, conceded that returning to the hotel had brought back some wonderful memories for him.

''You kind of miss it. It's surreal coming back here,'' Woodward said.

''I've had so many great memories of five or six years and I've not been back for nine months, so just to talk to the team, with players from different countries, has been interesting.

That's what it's going to be like in a few months time when the Lions get together so it's a good dress rehearsal. It's good to be back and I'm really looking forward to the Lions.''