Moody lays down his marker

Team manager Martin Johnson has remained quiet as to who will wear the armband in the long term, despite naming Moody as captain for the back end of the Six Nations and the subsequent Test series against Australia.

The 32-year-old, who has this summer made the switch from Leicester to the Recreation Ground, said: "I loved being captain of my country, there's no greater honour. But that's history.

"Johnno never gives much away but we won the second Test in Sydney to square the series, only the third time England have won down there in half a century of trying.

"Now, we all start afresh. After 14 great years with Leicester, it's a whole new challenge as I begin my career with Bath.

"I have to earn their respect, then earn a place in Johnno's team.

"If Johnno still wants me to be captain – and feels I'm up to the job – I would love to do it again."

Australia centre Rob Horne has been ruled out of the remainder of the Tri Nations Series after scans revealed a small fracture and ligament damage in his right elbow.

The 20-year-old, who suffered the injury in the Wallabies' 49-28 loss to New Zealand in Melbourne, will require surgery and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

He returns to Sydney while his team-mates depart for Christchurch ahead of their second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.

"It's very disappointing, especially to be leaving the team midway through the series, but my focus now has to be getting the surgery and beginning the rehabilitation," said Horne.

"I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to wear the Wallaby jersey. Now, having had that experience, I will be looking to work through the rehab and get back playing Super Rugby, to put myself in a position to get back into the Wallabies set-up."

Australia coach Robbie Deans is disappointed for Horne. "It's bad luck for Rob, but he's made an encouraging start to his international career."

Horne's place has been taken by Queensland Reds loose-forward Scott Higginbotham and Western Force's loose-forward Ben McCalman and winger Cameron Shepherd also join the Australia camp in New Zealand.