When Clive Woodward was appointed coach in 1997, he was basically asked to bring England from the amateur era into the professional ‘epoch’ that we now have seen. Quite frankly, it was overdone (International Rugby Board, can we please IRB have one set of trial laws?)

I recall with great clarity the fourth match of Woodward’s reign, which was against the might of the All Blacks at Twickenham (MIGHT being the correct word as Sean Fitzpatrick’s men were all but unbeatable at the time, New Zealand and Fitzpatrick’s Auckland having just won the second Tri-Nations and Super 12).

The result was a 26-all draw, which England celebrated with a lap of honour. This was to be the genesis for what would eventually amount to England’s world domination several years later. It showed Woodward’s team, and all of England for that matter, that they could match it with the best.

It would also be the genesis for arguably the worst period in All Black history, the men in black proceeding to lose five consecutive Test matches in 1998.

It was also beneficial to Woodward throughout his tenure that the other nations of Europe were quite strong, with Scotland picking up the European title in 1999, and Les Bleus thwarting what would have otherwise been an English clean sweep of  Five and Six Nations titles from 1995 to 2003 (excluding the Scots’ ’99 win).

For the record, England under Woodward recorded three Six Nations titles (2000, 2001, 2003), one Grand Slam in 2003 and three Triple Crowns (1998, 2002, 2003).

But it was the preparation leading up to the World Cup that set Woodward apart - imposing complete alcohol bans for 12 months before the tournament and talking with his commander-in-chief Johnson and KPIs leading up to the tournament.

The first factor was that most of the English brains trust believed the All Blacks needed to be defeated in order to inspire the necessary confidence. This was done in the end of 2002 at Twickenham, when England won 31-28, and again in New Zealand, where they triumphed15-13.

The second factor nominated the Wallabies, who, as World Cup host nation, were seen as another obstacle and needed to beaten. This was achieved even more emphatically, with three consecutive wins from 2000 leading up to a 25-14 victory in Melbourne in June 2003 and, of course, the final itself.

There were also numerous support networks and staff on hand for the team – and key loyalties given to elite players. The anointment many months if not years out, of who would be the men to take England to the summit of world rugby.

Both these points worked miracles for Woodward with England. But these exact points contrived to spell disaster for Woodward’s Lions tour in 2005 (although, unfortunately for Woodward, the All Blacks were at the peak of their powers by then).

The hardest part for Johnson will be that he will need to differentiate himself from Woodward and not follow a similar blueprint - because teams like New Zealand and South Africa have far evolved, and imposing forward shut-out football will not beat such class operations.

Graham Henry echoed Woodward’s principles when he took New Zealand’s best players out of the 2007 Super 14 and reconditioned them.  He anointed them, like Woodward did, but did not battle-harden them like Woodward did.

Jake White echoed Woodward’s principles when in last year’s World Cup - almost out of nowhere - the Springboks unveiled a pragmatic percentage style, so simple in its application that in the end it was almost embarrassingly easy for South Africa to win the World Cup.

Such ploys, such tricks, will surely not work again. With the All Blacks still so powerful, the Springboks as world champions, and the Wallabies evolving at an astronomical rate under Robbie Deans, Johnson has a devastating world to conquer.

The new breed of England footballers is exciting and promising – but of a far different ilk than the grizzled warhorses of when Johnson was king of the world. How he manages them, the Premiership clubs and of course our international issues will determine his success.

What playing laws will be in place by 2011?

How far will SANZAR, the Super 14 and Tri Nations evolve by 2011?

These are the two issues outside of Johnson’s control, but will indelibly mould the rugby world in which he, like Woodward did – must adjust to take the rose of England forward.