opening match of the 1895 competition, during a 14–6 victory over Wales. England won the second match, against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, but lost the final match of the tournament against Scotland – England's only loss with Woods as captain. Style of play Playing as either a back or a forward, Woods was praised primarily for his dribbling, part of the game which he felt should be utilised more often, especially by the pack during a ruck, or following a scrum. Woods was described by W. G. Grace as being "not a good scrimmager", but the England pack during his captaincy was considered one of the country's greatest for decades after. He was known for his strong tackling, described by an 1892 publication, Football, the Rugby Union Game, as "exceedingly severe", while Gilbert Jessop joked that an opponent may prefer to be hit by a motor-car than tackled by Woods in a close match. World War I Woods served initially as a temporary lieutenant in the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers before transferring to the Devon Regiment in 1916. In 1917 he was transferred to the Labour Corps. He was forced to resign his commission on 14 March 1919 due to ill-health and was given the substantive rank of captain. Later life He remained a very popular and well-known figure in Somerset even after his cricket-playing days were long over. When he died, Taunton was in a state of mourning. R. C. Robertson-Glasgow wrote of him: "If you wanted to know Taunton, you walked round it with Sam Woods on a summer morning before the match. Sam was Somerset's godfather." See also List of cricketers who have played for more than one international team Notes a. Woods played three Tests for Australia and three for England. His best batting and bowling figures were both for England. b. For individual match scorecards of Woods' appearances for Somerset in August 1889 see References Bibliography External links 1867 births 1931 deaths Military personnel from New South Wales Australia Test cricketers Cambridge University cricketers England Test cricketers English cricketers Somerset cricket captains Wisden Cricketers of the Year Dual international cricketers English rugby union players England international rugby union players Australian expatriate sportspeople in England Cambridge University R.U.F.C. players Barbarian F.C. players Blackheath F.C. players Cricketers from Sydney Rugby union players from Sydney People educated at Brighton College British Army personnel of World War I Royal Warwickshire