Lewis Moody yesterday announced his retirement from international rugby. In doing so he relinquished the England captain's armband.
After 71 caps the man they call "Mad Dog" has finally called it a day. Predictably, the response from the sport and the rugby public, and the praise has been effusive. Moody won everything there was to win in a 10 year test career, including the 2003 World Cup - it was his lineout catch that set up Jonny Wilkinson's final-winning drop goal - a Grand Slam and numerous Six Nations titles. He capped it all by becoming England captain for 11 tests, including the recent world cup campaign in New Zealand.
That did not go as well as he had hoped, but does nothing to diminish an outstanding contribution to English rugby. On top of that the man is universally liked in the sport. In ten years I have never heard a bad word spoken about him by another player, member of the media or even by the public. I can personally vouch for the fact that he is an engaging, humorous and considerate individual who always made time for his fans.
Of course, the story is not over yet. He intends to see out the remaining two years of his contract at Bath where he hopes to commit fully to club rugby and to his young family. After that the world is at his feet. England will miss his infectious enthusiasm, his leading by example, his sometimes suicidal tackles or blocks, but players should look at Moody and set themselves a similar example in the way in which a top sports star should handle himself.
He could have carried on but decided that, as he would not be around for the 2015 world cup, it was only right to let someone else wear the Number 7 jersey and for someone to take over the captaincy. Even in retirement Moody was classy to the end. So thanks Mad Dog, and farewell. It's been a real pleasure.
