Moody out of Six Nations

England flanker Lewis Moody out of Six Nations

Tweet

Print Share

 

Also In The News

England stars cleared for IPL
Several big-name England players, including Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, look set to play in this season's Indian Premier League after reaching an agreement that enables them to take part.

• Arsenal turn down Atletico Eboue approach
• Cyclist Rasmussen fails to overturn ban
• Olazabal wants Ryder Cup captaincy

 

Friday, 23, Jan 2009 10:38

Leicester Tigers and England flanker Lewis Moody has been ruled out of the Six Nations after suffering a broken ankle in training yesterday.

The injury is a major blow to the back-row forward, who missed the whole of the autumn international series after having an operation on the same joint.

"There is never a good time to get injured, but it is even more frustrating when you are playing well," Moody said.

"I have felt good since I got back into the team and I was gutted when I found out the details and a break was confirmed."

England team manager Martin Johnson said: "I know how hard Lewis worked to recover from his previous injury so my thoughts are with him and I wish him a speedy return to fitness."

The 30-year-old has been told he faces around three months on the sidelines, meaning he is will not return before April.

England's final match of the championship is against Scotland at Twickenham on March 21st.

Moody will also miss a crucial stage of the season for Leicester, who face Welsh side Ospreys this weekend in their final Heineken Cup match - needing to garner at least a bonus point to guarantee their place in the quarter-finals.

Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill said: "It is a big blow because he has been in excellent form for us since his return to the team a couple of months ago and he is an experienced player at the top level.

"We feel for him, he has been unlucky, but we have a strong squad at Leicester and whoever comes in will now have their opportunity."

The Tigers find themselves with a number of selection issues this weekend, after centre Dan Hipkiss - who was dropped from the England elite squad earlier this week - was told he will not play for up to six weeks after an operation on his knee.