ENGLAND 2003

A revolutionary kit that belonged to a revolutionary team, says Joe Robinson

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THERE IS an argument to suggest that Sir Clive Woodward and England's World Cup-winning side of 2003 did more to advance the game than any other team, individual or governing body in history.

Sure, when the game went pro in 1995, that was a significant leap forward. But in many places, players were already full-time and for the years that followed it was obvious that not much had changed, either in how the game was played or how it was approached off the field.

Even at the 1999 World Cup, there was an air of amateurism whirling in the wind. Players were getting fitter and stronger but a hangover of individuals from earlier in the decade kept the sport grounded in its past.

By 2003, however, the sport had changed. A chunk of players had been full-time for years, their careers and progress developing at a rapid rate in regards to tactics, sports science, data and player management.