Interview: Rugby legend Brian Moore

Moore, won 64 England caps, and five for the British and Irish Lions, and played in the 1991 World Cup final. He was a fierce competitor, who enjoyed winding up the opposition. He's mellower now, but only marginally.

He thinks England, under Martin Johnson, need consistency if they are to do well.

He said: "England could be there or thereabouts or they could be very mediocre. It depends how and what their selection process is and whether they can get some stability, because if they do they've got the talent to do well. If they don't it will be the same old story and they'll be scratching around and it will be difficult.

"They keep making changes which tends not to produce great results. The autumn internationals were dire. There hasn't been a legacy since winning the World Cup in 2003 and it's a huge shame. We weren't blind enough to think it would carry on and on but I didn't expect us to be where we are."

So, who does he tip for the title?

He said: "Ireland should be red hot favourites. They've got all the talent and their top players seem to be playing well in the Heineken Cup. They don't seem to have any injury worries and they've got the best back up they've ever had on the back of a Grand Slam.

"The only thing I would say is the second one is harder, but they should be favourites. And you should never discount the French because you don't know what they can do.

"The Six Nations always throws a surprise up. You generally see something so it will be good."

Throughout his highly successful playing career Moore practiced as a solicitor. Most of his international colleagues also combined jobs with rugby commitments and Moore is convinced it helped mould them into more rounded characters.

He has a theory that modern players, all full-time professionals, suffer as a result of having nothing other than rugby to consider, reflected in poor decision making on the field.

He said: "I don't think the fact that people do anything apart from rugby is good for character. It's not good for taking responsibility on the field when things go wrong, because you don't learn it anywhere else.

"You are constantly in camp or training and people are coaching you all the time. Sometimes, to get that mind set, you need to be left on your own to get on with it.

"It's about taking responsibility. When you were used to doing that in your everyday life it wasn't such a chore, it wasn't such a big thing."

The former hooker, who played for Nottingham, Harlequins and Richmond, feels the modern game is losing its appeal with laws constantly being meddled with.

He said: "Problems have come because I'm not sure the lawmakers know exactly what they are doing. This thing at the tackle, allowing defenders to keep hold of the ball, shifts the balance slightly.

"But in professional terms it's a lot because they know how to do it and that margin is everything. It's a combination of things, really.

"The skill set I had as a hooker has largely gone now because the referees have messed around with the laws, without being authorised to do so.

"I'd find it frustrating to play now because my skill set is largely redundant. I could still throw in, though.

"Then there's the size issue. I used to get away with being small because I was technically very good, but it's not technical anymore, it's power in the scrums.

"That's a disappointment because, without being authorised to do this, the referees at elite level have changed the game - possibly irreparably.

"No-one gave them authority to do it. They keep being told not to do it by the IRB but they just do it on their own. And they won't admit they've done it."

Although a pleasant man and an eloquent speaker the 48-year-old is clearly still fired by deep burning passions. He was in Canary Wharf last week to promote his new autobiography, Beware of the Dog, which lifts the lid on what pushed this most driven of players.

The book is a frank and compelling account of a life scarred by adoption and childhood sexual abuse. It's well written, and there's not a hint of self-pity, but it does help the reader understand a man who was loathed by many - particularly in Scotland - but admired by more.

The revelations in his book have helped former foes, as well as team-mates, understand more about his motivation.

He said: "That's certainly the case. I never understood quite why I was the way I was. It's only latterly that I've had a stab at that. People ask would I have got so far if I hadn't had these events, and the answer is I don't know.

"I've had support from ex-teammates, though rugby being rugby there have been a few ribald messages. Sexual abuse is such a difficult issue it's very difficult to know what to say.

"But the fact they've taken the trouble to do it is something, and also some have been very supportive. It's been quite moving really."

One legacy of his childhood was Moore found it almost impossible to enjoy his many career highs. It is a source of regret to him, but he's starting to deal with it.

He said: "I've started to since doing the book, at least trying to. Thinking negatively and thinking about the failures, like the 1991 World Cup Final, blighted a lot of the memories I have.

"But hopefully I'll be able to put things into context and accept something for what it was and enjoy the bits that should be enjoyed. It is a shame I didn't enjoy them at the time, but I'll get there."

Beware of the Dog: Rugby's Hard Man Reveals All by Brian Moore is out now, published by Simon & Schuster.