Lewis Moody has announced his retirement from the England national team.

The 33-year-old captained the side through the disappointment of their recent World Cup campaign in New Zealand.

"I realised I might be making this decision before the World Cup started," he said. "It's a big decision to make and I feel emotional about making it but it's the right thing to do for me and for the England rugby squad. My time with England has been unbelievable, even if the last few weeks have not gone so well.

"It's only right for the team to move on. There will be changes, maybe in the management and definitely in the playing squad and if England want to start planning for a successful World Cup here in four years' time then it is my belief they should be appointing a new captain from February to see the team through to 2015.

"Even if they still wanted me to carry on there is no way I'd last another four years so it is absolutely right to stand down and give someone else the opportunity to captain England."

The Bath flanker, who was part of the World Cup winning squad in 2003, won 66 caps for his country after he made his debut against Canada in 2001.