Woodward: This is bigger than 2003

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

South Africa inflicted a 36-0 defeat on England in the pool stage last month, and the two sides meet again in Paris on Saturday night.

"If you win the World Cup, you win the World Cup. It doesn't matter how you get there as long as you get over the line in the first position," Woodward told ITV News. "I would say it is a bigger story in a way."

He added: "In 2003 we arrived and there was a huge amount of pressure on us, especially from ourselves because we thought we were the best team and we thought we should win this thing.

"That created a whole amount of pressure and, thankfully, we delivered.

"These guys have come from the outside, from eighth favourite or something, and really delivered, so I guess in that way it must be extremely exciting to be in the England camp because you've got nothing to lose at the weekend, whereas we felt going in to that final a huge amount of tension.

"If we'd lost that final we would never ever have forgiven ourselves. These guys have got there just through sheer will, hard work and determination."