Having earned the scars from a lifetime of putting his head where others fear, when Lewis Moody talks about life in the back row, you listen.
Credit
Moody has also defended the England side for the way they played during the autumn Tests, claiming that the results didn't do the young side justice.
"In the games against South Africa and Australia I felt England hadn't played as badly as some people had made out," Moody said.
"If you look at the fact the squad only has 200-odd caps, hasn't had long together to prepare and is still learning how Stuart Lancaster wants to play, however they were only a score away from beating sides two and three in the world rankings, then they didn't get the credit they deserved.
"However they took the disappointment from those defeats and, coupled perhaps with the tiredness from an 18-month schedule for the All Blacks, they put in one cracking performance."
With coach Stuart Lancaster continuing to give youth its chance to flourish on the international stage, Moody was delighted with the way the players rose to the occasion.
"The stand out thing for me was the introduction of some of the players," added Moody.
"There were no great expectations placed on them. Alex Goode was told he was second best to Mike Brown but he showed what a quality performer he is.
"Tom Youngs was outstanding. Five years ago he started off in the Premiership as a centre, then two years on he moved to hooker and three years after that he is playing for England.
"He was my player of the series. I was impressed with the way he coped with the step up in intensity on the international stage, his lineouts were good - despite the South Africa game - he carried well and his work-rate was superb.
"I know Joe Launchbury received the plaudits as the QBE man of the series award - and he was another from which little was expected but he stepped up to the mark. These players were handed their chances and they took them with both hands."
Lewis Moody, along with Alan Chambers and Phil Wall, will be tackling their greatest challenge of the Yukon Arctic Ultra Marathon in February to raise money for HOPEHIV. To follow their progress or to sponsor them visit the website at www.mygreatestchallenge.org
