I appear to be alone in thinking he was a great signing. Let me explain
- It demonstrated Bath's genuine ambition to be in the top flight. I remember the grins on the faces of all the supporters I know when it was announced.
- it sent a message to the rugby world that Bath is where the England Captain belongs.
- The squad has got to be better when someone like Lew Moody is involved at training & planning sessions. Motivational/inspirational etc etc.
- As mentioned above, if he'd responded as well as Simon Taylor to the physical conditioning regime here, he would be first name on the teamsheet. That was a risk, albeit a significant one.
It's easy to criticise when the man hasn't had the chance to show us his mettle on the pitch, and MJ's shambolic management of the England team is IMHO more to blame than LM is for that. He was obviously not fit enough to be at the World Cup, but MJ needed a captain & a leader, and Lew put his body on the line for his country - an objectively poor decision but one that he couldn't possibly not make under the circumstances. The man has a huge heart, we all know that.
I hope now that, without the international pressure, the Bath medical team can get and keep him fit and show us why he's one of the best English players of his generation.
(Incidentally, his book has been "remaindered" since the WC and you can pick it up for a couple of quid in The Works in Westgate Street)