The England captain Lewis Moody says he is confident he will be fit to face France in the Six Nations next month.

Moody has been ruled out of England's first two games against Wales in Cardiff and Italy at Twickenham after injuring a knee in Bath's Heineken Cup win over Aironi last wekend and Nick Easter is favourite to lead the side at the Millennium Stadium in a fortnight.

But Moody told the Daily Telegraph that reports he would miss the first three games were wide of the mark. The flanker said: "I'll be back for that third game against France, fighting fit and raring to go."

Moody insists the torn medial ligament in his right knee is not serious but says he knows he cannot just walk back into the team. He says he is desperate to lead England next month.

"I've got more comfortable with the job. It is gnawing away with me a little bit to not be playing against Wales but, fingers crossed, it will only be for a couple of games."

England have lost three other forwards for the start of the Six Nations, Tom Croft and Courtney Lawes through injury and the Gloucester lock Dave Attwood through injury.