Lewis Moody retires from international rugby - Rugby News
Lewis Moody, who led England in Rugby World Cup 2011, has decided to hang up his boots from international competitions. The skipper made the ground breaking announcement of his retirement on October 22, in a press conference and told the media that it was
tough for him to carry on with the responsibilities. Moody revealed the reporters that he was pondering the decision before the start of global showpiece but delayed it until the end of Webb Ellis Trophy.
The 33-year-old flanker has represented his national side in 66 tests and remained one of the key players of team through out his career. He made his international debut for England a decade back in 2001, while playing against Canada. Earlier, he cast a
spell over Rugby Football Union selectors (RFU) by his tremendous action in Sevens rugby, where he scored two in Madrid Sevens tournament.
Later on, he became an ideal choice for management to place him at number 7 and he outscored a couple of older contestants for the same position. He continued at the same postion for two successive years in Six Nations, in 2002-03 before becoming a victim
to an unfortunate injury.
He missed a fair share of Rugby World Cup 2007 due various injuries but joined the party at the knock out stages that marched successfully through to the grand final of that event.
Announcing his retirement, Moody said that, “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.”
Meanwhile, describing his journey with England he was overwhelmed by emotions and said that it was a wonderful time to be part of his national team. He added that his decision to make call time was not to be averted , “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.”
Moody lead England in the ongoing global show but side was ruled out in the quarter-final by France.
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