Five years ago today, the England team wrote themselves into sporting history. Under Clive Woodward as head coach and Martin Johnson as captain, they became the first northern-hemisphere side to win the World Cup. Who will ever forget the drama of Jonny Wilkinson’s winning dropped goal 26 seconds from the end of extra time in Sydney? But where are they now?

Josh Lewsey He has not reached the heights he did in Australia. After scoring a try in last year’s World Cup semi-final, he missed the final because of injury. He is still part of the elite squad but is out of favour.

Jason Robinson Retired from England in 2005 but returned for their 2007 defence. Now an ambassador for Gillette, he enjoys riding quad bikes.

Mike Tindall Now better known for his off-field life, having met Zara Phillips, the Queen’s granddaughter with whom he lives, on the night of the final. Moved to Gloucester after eight years at Bath and discovered a penchant for poker and riding.

Will Greenwood The brains in mid-field whom England have not adequately replaced after retiring in 2006. Now a writer and broadcaster.

Ben Cohen By his own admission he lost his appetite for rugby in 2005 but bounced back, only to rule himself out of last year’s tournament to be with his pregnant wife. Left Northampton in 2007 after being overlooked for the club captaincy. Now with Brive.

Jonny Wilkinson Became one of the most famous sportsmen on the planet after his Sydney heroics. His subsequent injuries to neck, arm, shoulder, knees and groin would have forced a lesser mortal into retirement. Injured again but still brilliant when fit.

Matt Dawson The feet that took him through the gap to set up England’s winning field position have taken Dawson to great heights. His country’s most capped scrum half retired in 2006 having already become a captain in A Question of Sport. He is also a radio summariser and has been runner-up in Strictly Come Dancing and winner of Celebrity MasterChef.

Trevor Woodman The first casualty of the postWorld Cup decline, Woodman played only seven more internationals. He joined Sale Sharks from Gloucester but suffered a career-ending back injury in September 2004. He moved to Australia and coaches at Sydney University.

Steve Thompson Played a part in all but one match of England’s winning tournament. He announced his retirement in April 2007 after suffering a neck injury. Thompson joined Brive as a technical coach but started playing again 13 months ago when given the all-clear by surgeons.

Phil Vickery The prop had repeated operations after the World Cup and on each occasion defied medical logic to come back. After falling out with Gloucester over contract terms, Wasps gave him the chance to prove the doubters wrong. He made a try-scoring return in November 2006 against South Africa, then captained England at the World Cup last year.

Martin Johnson He retired from England in January 2004 but continued with Leicester for a further 18 months. After a long, lucrative and worldwide testimonial, Johnson resisted any attempt to go back to the game until last summer, when he agreed to return as England team manager.

Ben Kay Spurred on by the thought that his dropped pass on the tryline during the final would lead him to feature in Pizza Hut advertisements had England lost, Kay returned home a world-beater but then struggled to make the Leicester side. Has worked his way back to form, although was not included in Johnson’s elite squad.

Richard Hill The flanker was the only player never to be dropped by Woodward. Retired from Saracens at the end of last season after injuries that left him with a limp. Now working at Saracens as team mentor to seven promising players and in the commercial department. Also on RFU council.

Neil Back The small man with a big reputation and a prodigious workra-teretired from England in 2004. He was the oldest Lion at the age of 36 in 2005. Became head coach at Leeds Carnegie this season.

Lawrence Dallaglio Retired at the end of last season. After Australia he replaced Johnson as captain before retiring internationally for the first time in September 2004. Returned to England duty in 2006 and was in the World Cup squad in France, appearing in the final as a replacement. Now a television pundit and associate director of Wasps.

Replacements

Dorian West Retired after the World Cup and turned to coaching. Now with Northampton.

Jason Leonard The “Fun Bus” is England’s most capped player, with 111 appearances. After retirement in 2004 he joined the RFU and is a member of the Professional Game Board.

Martin Corry Soldiering on with Leicester, where he is captain and in his last season. Was England captain under Andy Robinson.

Lewis MoodyContinually injured, the legacy of his mad-dog style, Moody made it back for the 2007 World Cup. Just returned to the Leicester side after Achilles tendon and hip injuries.

Kyran Bracken After a back injury ended his career, Bracken found further fame and success as a skater on Dancing on Ice and is on tour with the show.

Mike Catt Although dropped for the 2003 final, he played a key part as an extra-time replacement. Took part in last year’s World Cup and is a player-coach at London Irish.

Iain Balshaw Now with Gloucester after spells at Leeds and Bath. He has struggled to live up to the reputation of his early career but played in the RBS Six Nations Championship this year.

Sir Clive Woodward Quit England in the autumn of 2004, saying that the RFU was not giving him the support he needed. Had spell with Southamp-ton as a director of football. Now director of elite coaching at the British Olympic Association.