Lewis Moody Plots His Return

But Lewis, who has been battling with a stress fracture to his right foot since England's wonderful RWC victory in Australia last November, is also cautious. By his own admission the last two seasons have been "shocking", but he knows that he has time on his side.

"It's been seven months now, but before that I had a shoulder operation which kept me out for a bit," he says. "It's been a real bummer, as I'd never had any serious injuries before my shoulder problem, but I realise that I'm only 25 and still have many years ahead of me."

Lewis, once the proud owner of a custom made 'moon-boot', is now walking around Leicester without any discomfort, although he is still some way from joining his squad mates on the training ground at Oval Park.

"At least people aren't staring at me in the streets anymore," he laughs, remembering his time spent in the cast. "The progression since I came out of the boot, cast and crutches is going pretty well. I start jogging on the 19th of July on a spongy track, which is a gradual progression, and I should then be able to run full out a month after that with a view to full-on contact training towards the end of August.

"I was able to do some upperbody weights and swimming, but not too much as I couldn't put too much pressure on my foot. [But] I benefited in many ways and at least I was able to develop my upperbody and also put on some weight."

Despite his cautious approach, the longer you speak to Moody the more you realise how keen he is to get back out there. Yes, the young man is frustrated, but he remains thankful that he was able to represent his country at the Rugby World Cup - unlike club mate Geordan Murphy, who broke his leg just a few weeks before the global showpiece.

"It's been disappointing not been able to play for Leicester as I've probably played more matches of late for England than I have for Tigers," he admits. "But, on the other hand, I can also count myself very lucky for having been part of England's World Cup campaign."

Whilst on the topic of playing for England, Lewis - who has already won 24 test caps - admits that he has not really thought that far ahead, saying: "My goals at the minute are purely and simply to play for Leicester.

"I've been frustrated over the past two seasons that I've been unable to help my club and my team-mates, many of whom I've grown up with over the last eight/nine years, through some difficult times. Just being around them and not being able to play has been tough, so getting back into the mix at Tigers and getting some wins under the belt are my major priorities.

"It was fantastic watching the boys at the end of last season - as rugby is ultimately about winning, and hopefully we can carry that through into the upcoming season. We've still got virtually the same squad that ended the season, bar a few retirements and a few newcomers, but I always think you need fresh faces around to spice things up a bit."

Fresh faces aside; Lewis faces stiff competition for a place in the Tigers back row, with the incumbents from the Zurich Wildcard Final, Martin Corry, Neil Back and Will Johnson, as well as Samoan strongman Henry Tuilagi and young guns Will Skinner, Daniel Montagu and Brett Deacon, all quality players.

"As a rugby player you're always confident, and I'm fairly confident that if I'm fully fit and back on the pitch, I'm probably one of the best players in my position," he says. "[But] it's always going to be hard as some of the other guys probably think the same way that I do.

"There's a competitive nature in this club and that's what makes it great about playing here - there are quality players all around you and that inspires you to play better. Just getting back out there with the lads on the training field and doing some 'bosh' with them and getting involved in some niggle out there is what I'm after!"

Whilst Lewis has spent the past few days in a swimming pool or on a stationery bike in the Oval Park gym, he would no doubt have seen a few tired team-mates around the training ground, all of whom have been sweating it out under the watchful eye of new fitness guru Phil Mack.

"I'm very fortunate that I've always had a fairly good engine. I've been out for a while and there's generally no substitute for actually being out there, so I guess it'll take a few games to get back into it properly," he says. "But the guys will work me hard during pre-season and I have no doubt that I'll be fitter and stronger than ever when I get back and there's no reason why I shouldn't be 20 times the better player."

Fitness aside, Lewis's true test will come when he is able strap boots on, grab a ball and thud into a defender, or when he, as the defender, gets a chance to nail someone with ball in hand.

"The contact side of things is actually a bit tougher on the training ground and one thing I really miss is the Wednesday sessions at the club when the starting XV and the others not in the run-on side go at each other," he says grinning broadly. "That's always good fun and a bit niggly and it's also why our team spirit