Wilkinson and Woodward helped England win the World Cup

The World Cup-winning coach is working as football director at Southampton FC but Wilkinson believes Woodward should be brought back to rugby.

"It is rare for me to go public with an opinion on an issue as political as this," Wilkinson told the Times.

"But I am happy on this occasion to urge (England governing body) the RFU to go for Sir Clive Woodward."

The Rugby Football Union restructured England's coaching team following the Six Nations.

Three new assistant coaches - John Wells, Mike Ford and Brian Ashton - and creating the role of elite director of rugby.

If he (Woodward) has got the will to do it, he can, it's as simple as that Brian Ashton England backs coach

Wilkinson, who kicked the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, added: "I believe he has the skills to do the job well.

"Indeed his particular strengths from his time as England coach are the very credentials that would transfer into his new role.

"Where Clive was so good was his foresight and his ability to understand the next move forward.

"If he was allowed to plan again for England, I believe we could move back to where we were, half a step ahead of the game instead of half a step behind."

New England backs coach Ashton also endorsed Woodward's credentials.

"He's been up there, he's won a World Cup," Ashton told BBC Radio Five Live.

"He's got the management skills required to sort out all the problems that exist off the field.