However, he confirmed today that he would complete the three-match Lions tour to New Zealand next summer but would then “leave rugby” for good.

Today he revealed he was not happy with the way things had returned to normal after England's stunning last-seconds extra-time win over Australia as he had expected so much more.

“It was fantastic to win but it was clear to me from the moment that plane landed [on its return from Australia] I felt totally out of control,” he said.

“My mindset was we had a clear plan of how we were being successful and that has been watered down. I went into the same meetings with the same faces and heard the same things. I wanted more and we have ended up with less.”

He added at a press conference televised on Sky Sports News: “When you get into that frame of mind you have to shake hands and agree to disagree. It needs a new person to come in and work within the system who believes in the system.

“I was not prepared to take any compromises any more.”

Andy Robinson will take over as acting coach when Woodwrad steps down.