Woodward dismisses Wales interest

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Sir Clive Woodward says he will remain as the British Olympic Association's elite performance director despite interest from the Welsh Rugby Union.

The WRU revealed they were considering England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach for a similar elite role.

Woodward said he was "flattered" but vowed to see out his BOA contract, which runs until 2012.

"Normally this would have been a job I would have found very attractive," said the 50-year-old Woodward.

I wish head coach Gareth Jenkins and the Welsh team all the very best in the year ahead Sir Clive Woodward

"But having accepted the challenging post of director of elite performance at the BOA I'm very happy this will be my focus through to 2012.

"I wish head coach Gareth Jenkins and the Welsh team all the very best in the year ahead."

Woodward, who spent a controversial spell at Southampton Football Club, lost out to Rob Andrew for the job of elite performance director with England's Rugby Football Union earlier this year.

WRU boss Roger Lewis told the Guardian on Tuesday: "Sir Clive has many of the skills we are looking for. We want someone with experience at the elite level.

"We are not following England in creating an elite post. We are about doing things the Welsh way. We will be conducting a global search to make sure we make the right appointment."

<a class="bodl" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A18275637"> 606 DEBATE: Would you be happy to see Woodward at the WRU?</a>

In the last year, the WRU has lost Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock, as well as group chief executive David Moffett, while on Monday chief executive Steve Lewis and Millennium Stadium boss Paul Sergeant also left.

"We have had to take a long, hard look at our organisation and find the best way forward," added Lewis.

"Steve and Paul both played important roles in changing the face of the WRU, but the coming year is going to be challenging financially and we need to act now to secure our future."

Sergeant will not be replaced as a chief executive, with Gerry Toms becoming the manager of the Millennium Stadium, while Lewis' position is also likely to become redundant.

"It was my decision to go," said Sergeant. "I have been here three-and-a-half years and we have moved on. When I joined, the stadium was a white elephant, but now it is one of the world's leading sports venues."