Woodward and Johnson led England to World Cup glory in 2003

Incumbent coach Andy Robinson is under pressure following a disappointing Six Nations campaign and Woodward is now working in football at Southampton.

"The RFU either want to fix it or they don't. Clive is the man," Johnson said.

"Perhaps he's not everyone's cup of tea but that is part of the job. If you go for the status quo nothing gets done."

Woodward was England coach from September 1997 to September 2004, guiding the team to World Cup glory in 2003.

He was the right man then and would be the right man now Martin Johnson

His final bow in rugby before moving to his new career in football was the Lions tour of New Zealand in summer 2005, on which the tourists were beaten 3-0.

Speculation over his possible return to the England set-up in some capacity has been rife, but Woodward says he has received no approach and is happy with his job at Southampton.

Woodward denies England approach

But Johnson says he is the obvious man to lift England out of their current rut.

"He sees the bigger picture and England has to be the bigger picture. He's the only coach England have really had in the professional era," he told the Times.

"The best thing the RFU did was back Clive after the 1999 World Cup and give him time. He was the right man then and would be the right man now.