Sir Clive Woodward flew to Dublin yesterday to reassure jittery members of the Lions committee that his commitment to next year's tour to New Zealand was unqualified and he is duly confirmed in the position of head coach.

Woodward was appointed at the beginning of the year and he persuaded the Lions to take the largest squad of players and back-up staff in the history of the tourists. But his position became the subject of speculation over the weekend after he had resigned as England's head coach.

Some of the home unions, most notably Wales, were concerned at the critical remarks Woodward made about the Rugby Football Union and its leading clubs last week, the day after his resignation. There were fears that he would take a job in football which would prevent him from devoting all his energies to the Lions.

"My complete focus for the next nine months is the Lions," said Woodward last night. "I have no distractions from within rugby or outside it. I am totally committed to the task of planning and delivering a programme that provides the players with the best possible chance of winning the Test series in New Zealand.

"After the Rugby World Cup a successful Lions tour of New Zealand is the greatest challenge to face a rugby coach. In order to achieve this I will need to constantly involve not just the players but their clubs and provinces, whose support will be vital."

The fact that Woodward felt the need to attend the meeting, brought forward from later this month with the head coach's position made an agenda item, indicated his anxiety after the committee's chairman, and the tour manager, Bill Beaumont, felt the need to reassure the Celts over the weekend and advise his compatriot to turn up last night.

"Clive has confirmed to me and the committee that his commitment to the Lions is total," said Beaumont. "He is the best qualified man for the job but it was important for him to meet the committee after the events of last week."

All that remains is for Woodward to sign his contract with the rest of his management staff.

The Lions will play an extra match against Auckland on July 5 between the second Test in Wellington and the final Test at Eden Park.