But Woodward, whose team open their Six Nations campaign against Italy at a sold-out Stadio Flaminio tomorrow, has adopted a cautious stance.

“I never see it that way,” he said. “The whole tournament has a history of wonderful surprises – that’s why everyone loves it.

“I do believe it is the premier tournament outside the World Cup, bar none. It’s way ahead of the Tri-Nations.

“Even this weekend, Ireland versus France is a close game to call – together with Wales versus Scotland – and England have got to be at their very best to beat Italy. That’s why it is a great tournament, and everyone loves it.”

England are overwhelming favourites to continue their domination of European rugby this season, having been installed as 7/4-on favourites for a fourth championship crown in five years.

After lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy Down Under less than three months ago, head coach Woodward knows that huge expectation surrounds his World Cup heroes - even though talismans Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson are both missing from the scene.

World Cup leader Johnson’s retirement from Test rugby means that Lawrence Dallaglio is back at the helm for tomorrow’s clash.

Fly-half genius Wilkinson, meanwhile, will play no part in this season’s championship after undergoing shoulder surgery.

But for Woodward, eager to draw a definitive line under the World Cup triumph, it is a case of onwards and upwards.

It is effectively the start of a new chapter in English rugby history, but Six Nations watchers should be braced for a familiar tale which points to red-rose domination as their envious strength in depth is again showcased.

England’s four previous Six Nations appointments with Italy have seen them average more than 50 points a game, and it could be a similar story this weekend.

It would represent a huge achievement by the Azzurri to finish within 10 points of an England side which has only five of its World Cup final starting XV missing – Johnson, Wilkinson, Neil Back, Matt Dawson and Mike Tindall.

Off the field, meanwhile, Woodward has dismissed a report linking him with the Springboks coaching job which was filled last night by South Africa’s former under-21s national coach Jake White.

A leading South African rugby magazine claimed Woodward expressed an interest in the Springboks role earlier this year.

“I have never spoken to anybody from the South African Rugby Union in any shape or form,” said Woodward.

“If I had then I would have let the Rugby Football Union know immediately, just out of common sense, but they have never approached me.

“I signed my contract with the RFU the day before we went to the World Cup, and there is no better job for Clive Woodward than coaching England.

“If I wasn’t coaching England yes I would love to coach any other side - including South Africa, Wales, France or anybody.

“It’s a great job to do, and a great environment to be in. But the number one job for me is coaching England. I have signed a four-year contract, and that’s it – so quite where the story came from I have no idea, but there is no foundation to it whatsoever.”

The article, in the March edition of SA Rugby Magazine, claims that several South African Rugby Union Board members were made aware of Woodward’s alleged interest shortly after Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli resigned post-World Cup.

But the magazine also say that the possibility of approaching Woodward was not even raised, and the matter went no further.