England skipper steps down
England captain Lewis Moody has confirmed his retirement from international rugby following a dismal World Cup campaign.
Moody was part of the famous 2003 World Cup winning squad, and went on to make 71 camps for England, but has decided to now focus on his domestic career with Bath.
The 33-year-old flanker told The Mail on Sunday: “I realised I might be making this decision before the World Cup started.
“It’s a big decision to make and I feel emotional about making it, but it’s the right thing to do for me and for the England rugby squad.
“My time with England has been unbelievable, even if the last few weeks have not gone so well.”
England looked unimpressive in New Zealand, as they eventually were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals in a disappointing performance which saw them lose 19-12. Meanwhile events off the pitch overshadowed the teams on pitch performances, and Moody believes that things within the squad need to change.
“It’s only right for the team to move on,” said Moody, who was popularly known as ‘Mad Dog’.
“There will be changes, maybe in management and definitely in some of the match-day 22, and if England want to start planning for a successful World Cup here in four years’ time, then it is my belief that they should be appointing a new captain from February to see the team right the way through to 2015.
“Even if they still wanted me to carry on, there’s no way I’d last another four years, so it is absolutely right to stand down now and give someone else the opportunity to captain England.”
Despite calling for changes, Moody insists the squad retains its support for manager Martin Johnson.
“There is not a single member of the World Cup squad who does not believe Johnno should stay on and finish the job, just as Clive Woodward did after 1999,” he said.
“I know the players are gutted that Johnno is taking so much flak. Nobody wants him to go.”
