Retiring Moody says England conduct naive and unacceptable

LEWIS Moody has announced his retirement from international rugby in the wake of England’s disappointing World Cup showing.

The 33-year-old flanker, a World Cup winner with England in 2003 and veteran of 71 Tests, was captain of the side which exited at the quarter-finals in New Zealand following a campaign dogged by controversy.

“I realised I might be making this decision before the World Cup started,” Moody admitted. “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.”