But after a Lions committee meeting, attended by Woodward in Dublin last night, his position was reaffirmed.

Woodward has insisted he will not take up any other job until after the three-Test trip to New Zealand ends next July. And with no further England commitments on his rugby agenda, he is free to spend the entire season planning and preparing for the 11-match expedition.

“My complete focus is the Lions for the next nine months – there are no distractions either from within rugby or outside it,” he said.

“I am totally committed to the task of planning and delivering a programme that provides the players with the best possible chance of winning the Test series in New Zealand.

“After the Rugby World Cup, a successful British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand is the greatest challenge to face a rugby coach.

“In order to achieve this, I will need to constantly involve not just the players but their clubs and provinces, whose support will be vital for the success of the tour.”

Lions chairman Bill Beaumont, tour manager for the New Zealand trip, added: “We thought it important to meet with Clive and the other members of the committee following the events of last week.

“This we have done, and the committee continues to be fully committed to the appointment made earlier this year. Clive is the most qualified man to coach the Lions, and will be taking the squad to New Zealand next summer.”

Woodward also received the backing of representatives from each of the four home unions comprising the Lions committee.

“No-one doubts the preparation that will be needed to face the challenges that await the Lions in New Zealand,” said Noel Murphy, of the Irish Rugby Football Union.

“This process began with the appointment of Clive in February, and he has reinforced to the committee in person that he will not be taking on any other working commitments until the completion of what we hope will be an outstandingly successful Lions tour.”

Andy Robinson, meanwhile, had earlier described Woodward as “the right person” to take charge of the Lions.

“In my opinion, he should lead the Lions – he is the right person for them,” said Robinson, the acting England head coach following Woodward’s Twickenham departure.

“There were major headlines last week, but it must not be taken away the role that Clive had, which was to make England the number one team in the world and win the World Cup. That came from Clive, his inspiration and his enthusiasm.

“In everything that Clive has ever done, he has been successful. I am not his historian, but in my dealings with him and through my knowledge of him, he has always been successful.

“What he brings with him is that enthusiasm, that passion and that belief in himself and in what he is trying to do.”