Leicester lock Johnson has played 84 Tests for England

The news will fuel rumours that captain Martin Johnson is soon to announce his retirement from international rugby.

"It was fantastic but now it's gone. We created a great team, but that team will never play together again," Woodward told the Sunday Times.

Johnson, 33, has skippered England 39 times, and led the side to Six Nations and World Cup glory in 2003.

He has not confirmed that he will stay on as skipper, telling BBC Sport before Christmas: "A few of us are getting a bit older and we'll make our decisions in our own time."

Woodward has made it clear that players not ready to commit to England's summer tour of New Zealand and Australia will not be condisdered for the Six Nations.

Gloucester skipper Phil Vickery is among the front-runners to step in should Johnson quit the international arena.

Richard Hill, Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonny Wilkinson have also been mentioned as possible successors.