Lewis Moody gives insight to the offer Manu Tuilagi has from Leicester

Former England captain Lewisw Moody, who played a part in all seven matches in England’s 2003 World Cup-winning campaign, was another high profile who was forced out of Leicester Tigers.

Despite being appointed England captain later that year, and for the 2011 World Cup, the manner of his leaving Leicester still rankles with Mad Dog.

“The game is changing now, and the loyalty of players and love of a club which went both ways, and meant they stayed throughout their careers, has gone. If Leicester did not want Manu any more they would not have hesitated to let him go – as they did with me when I was 30, despite being with the club man and boy.” revealed Moody to The Rugby Paper.

“This will not be an easy move for Manu if it comes off – and I’d be surprised if it has all been agreed this early. The reports that Racing have offered an annual £850k for three years, set against a yearly £450k Leicester offer, and a possible further England payment of £250k, means that over that period he could earn about £500k more by going to France.

“What Manu has to weigh up is whether representing England, and the Tigers, is more important than being able to support his family for the rest of his life. Yes, the club supported him when he was injured for over three years, but by comparison with what other clubs are offering Leicester are fairly stingy – and the game is not that simple any more.

“With the money being touted around it wouldn’t surprise me if he goes – and although Leicester have supported him I can understand 100 per cent why he would do so.”

EDITORS PICKS:

• The 10 most hated people in rugby
• The best players whose contracts expire in 2019
• The most bizarre rugby pitch invasions of all-time
• Five radical ways to improve the Six Nations