England's victory over South Africa proved the players wanted Sir Clive Woodward replaced as coach, according to Australian legend David Campese. England defeated the Springboks 32-16 on Saturday in new coach Andy Robinson's second game in charge.
Campese told BBC Sport: "The way England played showed the players obviously really wanted someone different in charge.
"And the change of coach seems to have given the guys a new lease of life."
Campese's remarks come on the first anniversary of England's victory in the World Cup final against Australia, but Woodward took the barb in good humour.
"That is David - he never changes," Woodward told BBC Five Live. "I take it as a bit of a compliment. I'd be worried if he wasn't saying these things.
 |  With Clive - win, lose or draw - it was all about him |
"It is time for a new era and for Andy to move the whole thing on. I am sure it won't be long before 'Campo' turns on him!" Woodward resigned in September after seven years in charge, blaming a lack of co-operation between the Premiership clubs and the Rugby Football Union for his decision.
But Campese believes his reasons were totally different.
"Clive Woodward thought England would take a flogging in the autumn internationals having lost their senior players," he said.
"He lost the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson and some other experienced guys. And he thought it was the right time to get out."
| Wherever Clive chooses to coach, whoever plays under him will really enjoy it |
England number eight Martin Corry, never a first choice under Woodward, admitted his preference for Robinson's new regime after his first game in charge against Canada. "There is a completely different feel about the place - the drills in training, how the meetings are conducted, the number of meetings!" Corry said.
"With Clive there was a sense of predictability about it - you knew what was happening in Monday training, then Tuesday.
"Now it is a whole new system and we actually don't know what is coming next."
But World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson insisted Woodward should take credit for revitalising English rugby. "Clive has had incredible success and no-one has done as much for rugby as him," Wilkinson told the BBC.
"The Lions (tour in 2005) would be a great way to send off a great person and a great manager if that is the way he wants to finish in rugby.
"Clive has enormous ambition and the great thing is he has the confidence to back it up.
"Wherever he chooses to coach, in whatever sport, whoever plays under him will really enjoy it."
Campese has been one of England's harshest critics both during his playing career and as a media pundit since. But he admitted he was "surprised" by the standard of their performance at Twickenham on Saturday.
"England got belted in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year and had something to prove," he said. "And they showed great spirit, played at a very quick pace and made South Africa make mistake, after mistake, after mistake.
"With Clive - win, lose or draw - it was all about him. But under Andy Robinson, the young guys stood up to be counted, while the forwards decided to take no stick."
Australia, in contrast to England, have looked indifferent in their last two Tests, a 27-14 loss to France and a stuttering 31-17 win over Scotland. The two sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday in a repeat of the World Cup final.
"Australia haven't won at Twickenham for a fair while now and the match will come down to England trying to do things and Australia trying to stop them," Campese added.
"It all depends on the forward pack but England just seem to have that extra bit of bite to them at the moment."
MMIX
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