LEWIS MOODY HAS responded to the strong criticism he received in the controversial leaked documents relating to England’s failed World Cup bid.

Moody’s leadership was condemned by an unnamed player, while the RFU’s elite rugby director, Rob Andrew, also criticised him for leading a player revolt over pay.

In relation to the issue, Andrew wrote:

“It was very disappointing that a senior player group, led by the captain Lewis Moody, disputed the level of payment for the World Cup squad… Some of the senior players were more focused on money than getting the rugby right.”

And responding to this criticism, Moody told reporters:

“I have particularly seen those stories about me personally and wanted to comment. Captaining England was, and remains, the ultimate honour for me and I accepted that honour knowing all the scrutiny that came with it. I am confident I did the job to the absolute best of my ability but if some of the players thought that was not enough I will have to learn to live with that.

“I put my body on the line for the lads, the team and England every time I played and anyone who has watched me play knows that I give everything on the field and have always prioritised rugby ahead of everything else, including financial reward. I have only ever undertaken personal commercial activities in my own time and I’m comfortable I got that balance right at all times.

“Where I had to be involved in commercial conversations with the RFU it was as captain, working with the RPA, representing the best interests of the players, not for any personal gain. I do not think anyone who knows me would think differently.”

England’s 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign was widely regarded as a fiasco, with the team underperforming, in addition to become embroiled in a series of controversial incidents.

Moody retired from international rugby in the aftermath of the tournament.

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