Clive Woodward does not intend coaching England in South Africa this summer unless he can thrash out a new contract with his Twickenham bosses before then.
England play the Springboks twice in June, and Woodward was at pains to point out yesterday that "no one should take anything for granted".
With England red hot favourites to complete the fourth leg of a potential Six Nations Grand Slam against underdogs Italy in Rome today, Woodward's position has strengthened considerably since the World Cup flop five months ago.
His existing three-year deal expires on August 31st, and Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron has already said that Woodward is the RFU's man for the job of building towards World Cup 2003.
For the moment, Woodward is totally focused on trying to land the first silverware of his England reign.
Ahead of today's match, the words tumbled from the lips of Italian coach Brad Johnstone in that brash, confident manner which characterises hard men.
"It's important to go on the rugby field not thinking you can't win," said Johnstone. "We're in Rome and our players play with bigger hearts in Rome."
For all the bravado of Italy's Kiwi coach, however, on the eve of England's first Six Nations clash in the Eternal City, the feeling persisted that it was the sort of hopeful speech a Christian might have made before entering the Colisseum at feeding time.
And all the facts suggest that Italy have about as much chance of survival against Clive Woodward's side. Italy have not beaten England in five previous meetings, were slaughtered 67-7 at Twickenham in the recent World Cup and are reeling from heavy defeats against Wales and Ireland, the latter demolishing them 60-13 a fortnight ago.
On top of that Johnstone announced yesterday at the Italians' hotel headquarters in Rome's northern suburbs that their inspirational skipper Massimo Giovanelli would never pull on a blue shirt again after suffering a detached retina against Scotland in Italy's first Six Nations match six weeks ago - the victorious memory of which is but a distant mirage.
Throw in the wish of Argentinian-born out-half Diego Dominguez to retire at the end of the championship and it's hardly surprising Italy have spent most of this week with the demeanour of men on death row.
"It has been very hard to prepare the boys for this game," admitted Johnstone, who concedes today's match is the toughest challenge of his long and eventful career.
"They arrived last Monday with their heads down and without any enthusiasm to play.
"Coming from a big loss against Ireland we have had a lot to repair. But we have improved that attitude and the boys are now looking forward to the challenge.
"In Test rugby you can't afford to miss tackles and against Ireland it was unbelievable how many we missed. That has been our main concern this week."
ITALY: C Pilat (Treviso); C Stoica (Narbonne-Fra), N Zisti (Roma), L Martin (Begles-Bordeaux-Fra), D Dallan (Treviso); DDominguez (Stade Francais-Fra), A Troncon (Montferrand-Fra, capt); A De Rossi (Livorno), M Bergamasco (Padova), V Cristofoletto (Mont de Marsan-Fra); A Gritti (Treviso), C Checchinato (Treviso); T Paoletti (Piacenza), A Moscardi (Treviso), A Lo Cicero (Roma). Replacements: C Orlandi (Rovigo), M Cuttitta (Calvisano), O Arancio (Treviso), A Persico (Viadana), M Mazzantini (L'Aquila), G Preo (Treviso), A Scanavacca (Rovigo)
ENGLAND: M Perry (Bath); A Healey (Leicester), M Tindall (Bath), M Catt (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Daw- son (Northampton, capt); J Leonard (Harlequins), P Greening (Wasps), D Garforth (Leicester), G Archer (Bristol), S Shaw (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps). Replacements: N McCarthy (Gloucester), T Woodman (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps), M Corry (Leicester), A Gomarsall (Bedford), A King (Wasps), I Balshaw (Bath).
Referee: Allan Lewis (Ireland).
