Sir Clive Woodward's new Olympic role rules him out of RFU return

Sir Clive Woodward would appear to have ruled himself out of the running to return to the Rugby Football Union.

The former England head coach had been linked with the vacant positions of chief executive and elite director of rugby following the sacking of John Steele last week.

But the British Olympic Association announced today that Woodward, their director of sport, has been appointed Chef de Mission to lead Team GB at the inaugural winter Youth Olympic Games, which take place in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 13-22 next year.

That means Woodward can now play no part in this autumn's World Cup in New Zealand nor next year's Six Nations, which kicks off with England against Scotland in Edinburgh on February 4.

Woodward said: "I am delighted to take on the role of Chef de Mission for the first winter Youth Olympic Games.

"Last month we saw first-hand the excellent preparations being made for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and I am sure that the YOG in Innsbruck will be an important stepping stone in the development of our best young winter athletes both on and off the field of play."