CLIVE Woodward has advised England rugby supremos to hand over the reigns of the national team to his old sparring partner Eddie Jones while Martin Johnson learns the coaching trade.

Johnson, who captained England to World Cup success in 2003, is expected to accept the post of England team manager this week. But while he is a noted motivator and tactician, Johnson has no formal coaching experience to draw upon, prompting Woodward to recommend Jones as a short-term solution.

Woodward predicted Johnson's appointment would end Brian Ashton's tenure as England coach. He also advised against appointing South African Jake White.

"I cannot imagine either Jake or Brian sitting down having a few beers with Martin and chewing the fat all night," Woodward wrote in The Times. "He will need a mentor urgently. Eddie Jones could be the right man for the role in the short term."

Former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane is going to New Zealand to study the All Blacks as part of his coaching education.

Sunderland manager Keane will spend about three days with the All Blacks during their build-up to the Test against Ireland in Wellington on June 7.

Alex Brown and AAP