The six weeks surrounding the naming of the Lions squad provided the perfect summary of Moody's last 18 months.

There were the highs - a man-of-the-match display in Leicester's Heineken Cup victory at Leinster in April and the inevitable selection from Sir Clive Woodward - and then the low as Moody was forced to hobble out of the semi with Toulouse suffering knee trouble.

Despite ruling Moody out for the rest of the domestic season the Tigers were quick to reassure people that the dynamic flanker would be fit to tour with the Lions, a blessed relief for not only Woodward but the player himself.

Since breaking into the Leicester team in 1996 and the England squad five years later, Moody has faced intense competition for his place at club and international level but his tremendous consistency means when fit he is pretty much an automatic selection for both.

'When fit' has been the problem in the last 18 months, though, as since his career reached its peak with the 2003 World Cup win, Moody has suffered a catalogue of injury problems including a broken foot, damaged wrist tendons (sustained opening Christmas presents!) and a poisoned finger.

The last of those saw him miss half of this year's Six Nations campaign but once he had returned to the side and proved he was as strong and committed as ever, there was little doubt Woodward would pick the 26-year-old.

Moody faces huge competition for a starting berth but Woodward knows his game inside out and will no doubt have a particular role in mind for a man whose looks belie a fearless approach.