England manager Clive Woodward has targeted the Commonwealth gold medal as the number one priority for his side in 2002.

Next year England face another gruelling Six Nations campaign as well as a tour of the South Seas but Woodward has put the 7s competiton at next year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester at the top of his wish-list.

"The number one priority next summer will be the Commonwealth Games," Woodward revealed to the Press Association. "The touring party will be second and even then I will probably be giving some of the senior players a complete break.

Casting an eye towards possible selection Woodward hopes he will be able to call on to of England's pacemen. "The timing of the Commonwealth Games is brilliant and I hope Robinson and Balshaw will be part of it."

Victory at the Games is not likely to be an easy task for England with the presence of sides like Fiji and New Zealand assured. Organisers have earmarked the competiton to close the Games such is there confidence in it being a crowd pleasing spectacle.

Woodward is due to announce his squad for the held over October 20 clash with Ireland next month, and they also have the prospect of entertaining southern hemisphere giants Australia and South Africa before Christmas.

Woodward was keen to stress the strength in depth of his squad with the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio ruled out for several months.

"You can't build an international team around one man," said Woodward. "Dallaglio is out and for all we know may never come back. That doesn't mean I don't want him back or I think he won't come back. But sport is brutal and for now I have to forget Lawrence.

"We have got the three established players (Neil) Back, (Richard) Hill and Corry. But Lewis and the Sanderson brothers (Pat and Alex) did well in North America during the summer, so we have a number of options."

One player almost certain to make his first England start is Jason Robinson, outstanding on the Lions tour barely six months after his switch from rugby league. Robinson has been followed into the 15-man code by former Wigan team-mate Henry Paul and Wales skipper Iestyn Harris.

"Before Jason signed people said that he would never make the switch successfully," admitted Woodward. "Fortunately, one or two of us felt differently, most importantly Brian Kennedy at Sale.

"If you want to be the world's best player, you must have the best players in the world around you. I would love to have competed with Jason Robinson and you don't want anyone around who questions the decision to bring in people of his calibre."

Woodward is equally convinced that Harris will have a similar impact in Wales, while Paul will serve his apprenticeship at Gloucester before his expected elevation into the England squad, even though all his international experience in league has been with his native New Zealand.

"If a player is qualified for England I am not going to stop him doing it," he said. "Henry is a fantastic guy. He has to establish himself in the Gloucester team and though he hasn't yet decided to play for England, we will be watching him."

On the subject of a possible first Grand Slam with victory over Ireland and extending England's winning Test run beyond 11 Wooodward commented, "I don't want to be in the history books, I just want to beat Ireland," he insisted. "The Grand Slam in itself is not an aim. I am striving to make England the best team in the world and the strategic plan is aimed at doing it by 2007.

"We are still a long way off but if we do get there, you would like to think you can pick up some Triple Crowns and Grand Slams and we have fallen twice now. You can never be satisfied. I am very excited about the young players who can come into the team and make us even better."