Johnson: Moody may not be at World Cup
England rugby coach Martin Johnson has sent out some shock waves by saying that Lewis Moody may not even be in the World Cup squad next summer.
Johnson has also said that there is no guarantee to any single player that they will have a place in the England team for the first World Cup game. However, some are calling that remarks by Johnson extremely naive.
Moody has just moved down to the South West where he will now play his rugby for Bath. He seems to be the main man at his new club and it's non-sensical to think why he wouldn't be included in England plans.
Moody has all of the quality and attributes needed to carry on doing well for England and to preserve his international career. However, Johnson is no stranger to making big decisions after dropping the likes of Steve Borthwick and Jonny Wilkinson from the team.
Moody's quality
Many are expecting Johnson to name Moody as the next England captain but his refusal to do has caused some eyebrows to raise. Moody has the right sort of experience at international level to lead the England side. He's won 63 caps and scored 45 points so far in his career and seems hungry for more.
His move down to Bath from Leicester shows that he has a great deal of ambition. He's a player who is actively seeking a new challenge and this could also come in the England team as well as at domestic level.
Moody has shown good leadership qualities during various points in his club career. Johnson's refusal to appoint him as England skipper shows that he may not favour him for this role.
Johnson said: "I’m not going to commit to that because it is very competitive. There are some guys coming back in who have not been around for a while for whatever reason - the likes of Steve Borthwick, Lee Mears, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees and Jordan Crane."
Moving on
Borthwick and Wilkinson are two great examples of brilliant England players who have been released from their roles with the side so the England team can move forward.
This proves that Johnson is not afraid of having to make a big decision. However, if Johnson was to leave Moody out of an squad or plans for the autumn tests and the World Cup next summer then it would be a highly negative move that neglects one of the best English players currently around.
Johnson added: "There is big pressure on guys. Anyone who thinks they are comfortable in the England 32 won’t be there for very long. Guys are wondering how they are going to get in. It is very, very competitive now - the best squad we have ever had - If you are playing better than the number one guy then there is never a time when you haven’t found yourself in the England team."
Betting advice
It is very naive to think that Moody will not be involved with England this autumn, winter and next year. The emphasis is now firmly on the player to do well at Bath so have a punt on him to score during the first couple of games and for Bath to win their first few league games of the season.
Moody will have a determination and drive to show that he is still the best player that England have. Someone with this determination will often raise their game and you need to take advantage of it because you know it's almost a certainty that he'll get on the score sheet in Bath's first or second game.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1302274/Martin-Johnson-Lewis-Moody-play-World-Cup.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0wqU0UgZT
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1302274/Martin-Johnson-Lewis-Moody-play-World-Cup.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0wqTjrDwH
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