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The reception was rapturous, with not a dry eye and not an empty seat as the Leicester faithful rose to their feet. As Lewis Moody stepped onto the Welford Road surface after the toughest few weeks of his life, it was with him The courage that characterizes his careerHis playing days may be long behind him, but the former Tigers, Bath and England flanker has certainly never felt more in love.
not two weeks After announcing that he had been diagnosed with motor neuron disease (mnd)The meeting of his two former clubs brought Moody back to the parish he had long called home as one of the finest players and people the club has ever produced. Moody’s image adorns the “Wall of Legends” which is located next to the club shop in the Europcar stand; He may have been born in Ascot and finished his career at Bath, but the flanker is one of Tigers’ own. Let’s hope there are many more visits to come, for exactly the kind of games enjoyed here – fiery, brutal and thrilling to the very end, tackled with the final kick of Billy Searle’s boot to give the home team victory.
“It’s a bit overwhelming,” an emotional Moody said in a half-time conversation on the pitch, before being at a loss for words. He can at least shed light on it: “I’m sure the boys will take offense at me for this.
“It’s been 15 years since I stepped foot on this pitch, and he was playing. To be back at Welford Road, in this special place, with teammates, with the family, with all you guys – it’s really special.
“It’s been a tough few weeks, but the love and support I’ve received has been unparalleled and I feel it deeply. I’m incredibly grateful. I had 15 years at Leicester, and many years before that sitting in the stands singing different songs.
“Then I also had the pleasure of going to Bath. When people ask me who I support – Bath is my home, I’ve been there for 15 years, my son is the mascot there and they love it. But Leicester is always my rugby home.”
Sadly, MND is a condition this grand old club is all too familiar with: already they attend the Slater Cup against Gloucester in support of former second-row Ed, while Kevin Sinfield, who has done much publicly and privately to raise awareness and support those affected by the disease, spent time on the Tigers coaching staff.
Leicester has always been a special rugby community, the support of which was evident from the moment Moody’s diagnosis was publicised. Before kick-off, a group of former Tigers – the so-called Sabretooths – were seen rattling buckets and throwing card machines at the passing public, urging them to give in; Many will be, generously, moody and supportive of the broader cause.
Harry Ellis, the former scrum half, clearly drew the short straw, being soundly beaten by his son in a half-time zorbing contest, before the assembled stalwarts – from Martin Johnson to Henry Tuilagi – were given the chance to embarrass themselves under the high ball, in the name of their great mate. No one told us that tigers are considered solitary animals.
Moody was part of Leicester’s golden age, winning four titles in a row and three in four years at the end of his long, distinguished service. They are the kind of Prem dynasty this Bath team is hoping to end their 29-year wait for success last season – but their unbeaten start came here on a day when the Tigers might have been playing for something else.
The defending champions looked in poor form during the four rounds and overcame their absence finn russell And a sprinkling of other stars. Here they were completely weak in the first half but still led at the interval henry arundell Bright and enthusiastic down the left wing and impressive with two of his three first-half scores. That will have delighted England attack coach Lee Blackett, who will be watching from the stands as Arundel prepares to recall him to the pre-autumn training squad that assembles at Pennhill Park on Sunday.
Yet Leicester have done their best to make the place a fortress, and they will not let it be destroyed with one of their greatest warriors in the city. Back to their strengths, then – a strong maul and a short-range Nicky Smith put the home side two points ahead either side of half-time.
That lead was wiped out by a Russell penalty in the 73rd minute, but the Leicester fly-half had his say. Coming off the bench for James O’Connor, Searle was caught in a high tackle by replacement Bath prop Thomas du Toit. Looking towards the box between the posts where Moody and his son were sitting, Searle scored the match-winning penalty.