Tom Wood excited by Stuart Lancaster's early impact

Impressed: Tom Wood believes Stuart Lancaster has made a promising start as England's interim rugby union coach

10 April 2012

Tom Wood believes England have improved after only a few days under interim coach Stuart Lancaster.

The former Saxons coach revealed yesterday he intends to apply to be Martin Johnson's successor permanently, having enjoyed working with the national team in their Leeds training camp since Monday.

A toe injury has limited Wood's participation but the flanker is impressed by Lancaster.

"Just based on a couple of days of training you can see we are making a lot of progress," said Wood (right).

"Stuart has given us a fairly simple but effective game plan and given us a licence to go and own it and take it forward.

"That is what it is about for us now; it's about getting back to basics a bit. Getting our heads down, working hard and making sure we give a good account of ourselves against Scotland [on February 3].

"It's hugely exciting that a lot of change has brought about a lot of energy as well because it's a fresh start and there is a lot of opportunity."