NICK Abendanon says that he wasn’t surprised to see Bath team-mate Lewis Moody announce his international retirement and step down as England captain last weekend.

Thirty-three-year-old flanker Moody had his last hurrah with the national team as he led Martin Johnson’s side into the World Cup before they crashed out at the quarter-final stage in New Zealand.

Abendanon, 25, saw Moody return to the Recreation Ground as an unused replacement for Saturday’s LV= Cup bonus point victory over Worcester Warriors and is happy that the England veteran will now be able to fully concentrate on his Bath career.

“He’s played in 70-odd games for England and he did everything that he could to be fit for the World Cup because he wanted to be a part of it with the next one not for another four years,” said the Bath winger.

“I think that he decided that it was time to let some of the younger players that are coming through have their chance.

“He’s a fantastic player and it’s great to have someone who brings that sort of experience to our squad.”

Abendanon was one of seven players to cross the line for Bath against Worcester last weekend but the winger has warned that his side will have to be at their best when they travel to the Madjeski Stadium to take on London Irish in the Aviva Premiership tomorrow.

“It was great to get over the chalk and it was probably only the second time I’d touched the ball in the game,” said the Bath man.

“But I think that the next two weeks, when we play Irish and then Harlequins, will be a lot tougher.

“We’ve got to be ready to face up to the physical challenge and try and negate the threat that Irish have because the Madjeski is always a tough place to go.”