SAINTS have refused to comment on the latest speculation linking them with England rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward.

Woodward was quoted in several national newspapers yesterday saying he had signed a two-year contract to work with the successful Saints academy after completing his British Lions tour of New Zealand this summer.

But St Mary's chairman Rupert Lowe, a good friend of Woodward's, would only comment: "I have seen the stories but Clive is not qualified to be a football manager and there's nothing more to say.

"I do believe however that he has skills that we as a club can learn from. Team games are about creating a team ethic, and clearly there are skill sets which will cross over from rugby to football."

Saints also claimed "nothing has been signed and any speculation is premature" on their website.

Woodward, who was pictured with Lowe (above) in the Daily Echo last week after attending a chairman's food evening at St Mary's, was first linked with Saints last autumn shortly after Steve Wigley had taken over from Paul Sturrock.

He said back then he was keen to move into football after coaching The Lions, and was pictured with Lowe at a couple of Saints matches.

He had visited the Saints academy a few times and was impressed with what he saw.

Woodward, pictured above, was quoted as saying yesterday: "The job I'm going into is not as high profile as many people think.

"I wasn't ever going to take over a Premiership club straight away. For a start, I've got to get qualified.

"I've got a couple of years to see if I can make a difference.

"By the end of that time I'll know, and so will the people backing me, whether I'm up for it.

"It's not about money, it's about the challenge."

Harry Redknapp has already stated that Woodward won't be working with the first team squad while he is in charge at St Mary's.

But Woodward would be bringing his undoubted man-management and organisational skills to the club.