All 31 squad players received some sort of honour with those not included on previous lists getting an MBE (Member of the British Empire), the first step on the pyramid of Britain's honours system.

Coach Clive Woodward received a knighthood entitling the former England and British Lions centre, 48 on January 6, to call himself 'Sir Clive'.

Woodward said: "I am honoured and delighted to receive a Knighthood. However, it is also a tribute to every member of the squad, the coaches, management and the (English) Premiership clubs who have all made a significant contribution to our success."

Woodward's men were not the only rugby players to receive awards. Ireland fly-half David Humphreys, 32, received an MBE.

Although honours are restricted to citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, Humphreys - Ireland's most-capped stand-off with 499 points from 60 Test appearances - qualifies as he hails from Dromore, County Down in the British province of Northern Ireland.

Another Northern Irishman, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, received an OBE for his part in helping revive the Glasgow soccer giant's fortunes.

Tim Henman, arguably Britain's best male tennis player since Fred Perry but still yet to win Wimbledon or any other Grand Slam event, received an OBE (Order of the British Empire).

In athletics, former British javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson, who won gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and is now the vice-chairman of funding agency Sport England, was awarded a CBE - one rung below a Knighthood or its female equivalent, a Damehood.

She was not the only sportswoman included in the list. Bahamas sprinter Pauline-Davis Thompson received an OBE, after competing in five Olympics where she won the silver medal in the 200m at the 2000 Sydney Games.

Meanwhile Emma Richards, who earlier this year became the first woman and youngest person, to complete the round-the-world yacht race, received an MBE.

So too did Portsmouth Northsea swimmer Katy Sexton who in July became the first British female to win an event at the World Championships when she finished first in the 200m backstroke.

Elsewhere England cricket one-day international Mark Alleyne and Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne, who has led the county to several domestic trophies in recent seasons, were awarded MBEs.

Amateur golfer Garth McGimpsey, a former British champion and member of the Great Britain and Ireland teams that defeated the United States to win the Walker Cup in 1985, 1989 - when the team won on American soil - and in 1991, was also awarded an MBE.

Among other sporting figures honoured was boxing promoter Jarvis Astaire, who was awarded an OBE.

Although his award was for charitable work, the 80-year-old Astaire is best known for his boxing role, bringing over heavyweight great Muhammad Ali from the United States to fight, and beat, British hero Henry Cooper.