Blow for Moody is chance for Fourie to stand out

Adopted Yorkshireman Fourie, who played for Rotherham Titans before joining Leeds, broke into the England set-up last summer and debuted against New Zealand in the Autumn Internationals in November.

He went on to win four caps, three as a replacement for Moody, and is now in pole position to be England's starting openside in the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff on Friday, February 4.

England manager Martin Johnson yesterday greeted the news of his stricken captain by saying it was an opportunity for someone else to make the position his own and Fourie's club rugby director Andy Key believes his star player is the man to do that.

"As always with situations like this you jump to conclusions too quickly," said Key. "Selection will be based on what the management feel is the make-up of the side they need. However, with the sort of performances Hendre has been putting in over the last few weeks they know there is no question over his ability, and they can be full of confidence in calling on the next man in line.

"Hendre is definitely a player who is maturing. He's only got four internationals under his belt but he's shown that he has matured into an outstanding Premiership player and he was no different against Stade Francais at the weekend.

"They were top French opposition and again he stepped up to the mark.

"He is learning with every game what he has to do physically and mentally.

"Sometimes one person's loss is another man's gain."

The six-week time-frame for Moody's recovery means he will miss the opener against Wales and the following home games with Italy (February 12) and France (February 26).

He could be back for Scotland's visit to Twickenham (March 13) and the potential grand-slam decider in Dublin against Ireland (March 19).

However, by then Fourie – who has adapted well to the demands of international rugby and who was on top form when watched by England forwards coach John Wells in Leeds's recent win over Gloucester – may be difficult to displace.

Key, who will lose Fourie and fellow England international Steve Thompson for four Premiership games including the crucial home date with Newcastle, said: "Johnno will be hoping that if and when some of his so-called first-choice players are injured that he has the strength of squad where the next man up fills the void and very little changes.

"What he'd like is two or three players in that position, but if this is an opportunity for Hendre then while he'll be first to admit disappointment for Lewis Moody, he'll take it with both hands and if he gets the start in Wales he'll be over the moon."

Other openside flankers in the frame are Wasps' Joe Worsley – who is a natural blindside but has operated at No 7 before, most notably in Wales two years ago – and the more inexperienced duo of London Irish's Steffon Armitage and Northampton's Tom Wood, both of whom could be promoted from the Saxons squad.

Johnson names his injury replacements next Monday. Johnson said: "It is always disappointing to lose a player and leader of Lewis's calibre but as I have consistently said, good teams adapt to injuries and that is what we intend to do.

"While this could still mean Lewis plays a role in the Six Nations, it does mean that another player gets the chance to step up and make it hard for him to get the shirt back."

Moody suffered the injury in Bath's Heineken Cup victory over Aironi, although the initial prognosis was that it was just a twisted knee.

The 32-year-old had played a pivotal role in captaining new-look England following the attritional leadership of Steve Borthwick, who led the Red Rose in the troublesome first 18 months of Johnson's reign.

Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: "Lewis took a knock to his knee at the weekend, which is slightly more serious than first thought.

"We will of course make sure he receives the best medical attention to get him back on the field as and when he is ready."

Moody joins fellow forwards Courtney Lawes and Tom Croft on the sidelines, with the injured trio significantly weakening England's chances of winning a first Six Nations since 2003.

Otley-born Mike Tindall is a candidate to take over the captaincy, as is Moody's fellow back-row enforcer Nick Easter.

Easter took the armband for the November win over Samoa, when Fourie made his first start alongside him, and has also led the team in non-cap matches against the Barbarians and in tour matches.

Tindall, 32, is another of Johnson's experienced campaigners having helped England win the World Cup in 2003. He has 66 caps to his name.