Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward has lamented the decline of his techniques under successors Andy Robinson and Brian Ashton.

Despite working under Woodward as defence and attack coaches respectively, Robinson and Ashton (pictured) turned their backs on their former boss's progressive methods, including the employment of vision coach Sherylle Calder.

As the British Olympic Association's elite performance director, Woodward has renewed his partnership with Calder, who has signed up until 2012 as a Visual Performance Skills Consultant.

However, the South African recently helped her native country to win the World Cup in France, and Woodward told Eurosport that England "stopped" working on players' sight soon after his departure from the job.

"In 2003 England were the best in the world [at vision coaching], now South Africa are the best in the world," he said.

Calder helped England to World Cup glory in 2003 but was released by England soon after Woodward resigned in autumn 2004.

Asked whether England maintained vision coaching under Robinson, Woodward said: "I left in September 2004 and Sherylle soon after that, and it stopped basically, as far as I am aware."

Woodward refused to discuss Martin Johnson's appointment as England manager, but said of his former captain: "Martin Johnson is hugely competitive. He is not a yes man and only does something if he thinks there is a point."

Calder hinted that Johnson might be interested in restoring vision coaching to the England setup, although she insisted she was focused on her work for the BOA.

"Clive always said to me that if Martin Johnson doesn't want to do something he won't do it. But from number one to number 15 they all took an active role," she said.

Woodward is notorious for his use of slogans and acronyms, and used the letters CTC to hammer home the importance of vision.

During training sessions, huge 'CTC' flags were draped from the crossbar and the padding around the goalposts even had the letters written on it.

Standing for Crossbar, Touchline, Communicate, it was intended to remind players that looking at the crossbar on the opposing goalline enabled them to see the whole pitch and improve their perception of space.

"Nobody from the media ever asked me what it meant. I think they thought it was advertising," he said.

Woodward also made the players train while wearing eye patches, looking and playing like drunken pirates as they ran into each other with alarming frequency and force.

Doctors eventually intervened to stop the session because they adjudged it dangerous and feared a serious injury.

"I wish I had the video, but I'd probably get sued," Woodward joked.

Although Woodward was criticised for some of his more outlandish methods, particularly on the Lions Tour of New Zealand in 2005, few would argue that English rugby has not gone backwards since its crowning moment four-and-a-half years ago.

Woodward described Calder's work as a 'one percenter' - a small addition that could provide a crucial edge - and athletes she is working with such as heptathlete Kelly Sotherton and badminton Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson will hope to gain a vital boost this summer in Beijing.

Alex Chick at Bisham Abbey / Eurosport