Former England hooker Brian Moore has condemned the leaking of RFU files to the press.

The feedback from players published in The Times on Wednesday suggested a feeling of disharmony within the camp at the recent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

"It is deeply damaging and it shouldn't have happened," Moore told BBC Sport. "It will get worse before it gets better and there will be a lot of blood-letting to come.

"I have a bit of a problem with players criticising coaches with anonymity but the fact is these comments have been made and it's inconceivable that management weren't aware of it."

Meanwhile, Moore has backed Northampton's Jim Mallinder to succeed Martin Johnson as England coach.

Johnson stepped down from the position earlier this month following the disappointing World Cup display.

"If there was a manager and a coach I'd like to see at England it would be Mallinder," he added.

RFU director Rob Andrew dismissed calls for him to resign following the revelations.

Written by
Jack Prescott