Lewis Moody swaps boyhood club Leicester Tigers for Bath
Lewis Moody has signed a three-year deal with Bath
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Friday, 05, Mar 2010 04:12
by Sam Ross.
Bath have confirmed the signing of England flanker Lewis Moody from Leicester Tigers on a three-year deal.
The 31-year-old will leave his boyhood club who currently sit top of the Guinness Premiership, where he has spent 14 years making over 200 appearances, to join Bath, who lie five places below the Tigers in sixth.
But World Cup-winner Moody has opted to make the switch to the West Country with a view of taking on a new challenge.
He said: "I am really looking forward to an exciting new challenge at this stage of my career. I have always known that if I was ever going to leave Leicester, the only club I would consider in the UK would be Bath.
"They play an exciting brand of rugby and having spent time with both [Bath head coach] Steve Meehan and [Bath chief executive] Nick Blofeld I am sure that there are exciting years ahead."
And Meehan is delighted at the acquisition of Moody, saying: "Lewis is a proven winner and he brings vast experience, a fierce determination and great attitude with him.
"Adapting to our style of play shouldn't be a problem and we expect him to help create more opportunities and momentum up front."
However many people at Leicester will be sad to see their flanker leave and Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill accepts they have lost a great player but wishes him all the best with Bath.
He said: "Lewis has been a big part of this club for a long time and he has won every major honour in his time here. Everyone knows about the enthusiasm he brings to his game, and that has not altered during his 14 years in the first-team squad, which says a lot for his attitude to the game of rugby.
"We wish him well as he takes up a new challenge for next season and I know he will receive a very warm welcome from our supporters whenever he returns to Welford Road."