Moody gunning for England spot
September 14, 2001

Leicester's England back-row prospect Lewis Moody renews his rivalry with Gloucester's Andy Hazell on Saturday, admitting: "I am sure that he will want revenge for the summer."

Both players are targeting places in a probable 30-man England squad for next month's delayed Six Nations Championship clash against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

Clive Woodward will unveil that group on Monday morning, with several players who impressed during this summer's North America tour likely to feature alongside the more established back-row names like Lions Neil Back, Richard Hill and Martin Corry.

Leicester openside Moody starred in all three Test match appointments with Canada (twice) and the USA, so Hazell knows his work is cut out to try and make up lost ground.

The pair come face-to-face in Saturday's Premiership clash at Kingsholm, and they know the stakes are potentially high.

"I am sure that Andy will want revenge for the summer," said Moody. "Initially, he was picked ahead of me for the Barbarians game in May, then I was selected for the three Tests on tour.

"But we can only prove ourselves on the pitch - words are cheap - and I don't really give two hoots who I am up against, I just concentrate on doing my best for the team."

The battle between Moody and Hazell could go some way towards deciding a mouthwatering contest between new-look Gloucester and a Leicester outfit seeking its fourth successive Premiership title.

"We are both very competitive," acknowledged Hazell. "Neither of us will want to give an inch this weekend - he won't want to take a step backwards, and neither will I."

Gloucester captain Phil Vickery is ready to make a first start of the campaign, but his fellow Lions - Leicester trio Back, Martin Johnson and Austin Healey - are again set for bench roles.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.