Andy Goode

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Andrew James Goode (born 1980 in Coventry) is a rugby union footballer who plays fly-half (and occasionally fullback) for Leicester Tigers and England. Goode's main strengths are his kicking and control of the game. He learnt rugby skills from his elder brother, Matt Goode.

Goode attended King Henry VIII School in Coventry and Bromsgrove School in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. He formed an axis with scrum-half James Grindal at school and later for Leicester, though Grindal has since moved on to Newcastle. He started playing rugby union at the age of five at Barkers Butts, before moving to Nuneaton at 12, as he couldn't get picked ahead of his brother at fly half. Up until then he had played at scrum half but soon found out he enjoyed the game better at fly-half. He was captained by his older brother, Matt Goode at Warwickshire U18 and also played for the Midlands, before following his brother into the England Schools U18 set up in 1997.

Goode joined Coventry R.F.C. aged 16 and joined Leicester Tigers two years later when Coventry R.F.C. met financial difficulties.

In 1998 Goode was selected to play for England U18 and has since represented England at U21 level, playing at the 2000 SANZAR tournament in New Zealand, as well as appearing 5 times for England A in 2001 and 2002.

Goode joined Leicester Tigers as a youngster. Despite his youth, he played a substantial part in the Tigers record four successive Premiership titles and also won two Heineken Cup winners medals. He later moved to Saracens F.C. with coach Rod Kafer. He did not enjoy his time at Saracens however and was released from his contract, moving back to Leicester in December 2003.

After good performances for Leicester Tigers and the England A side, Goode made his England debut as a replacement for Charlie Hodgson in the 2005 Six Nations Championship victory over Italy, in which he scored points from a conversion.

Goode was nominated for Zurich Player of the Season 2004-5 and the PRA Players’ Player of the Year. He also ended the season voted player of the year by the Leicester Tigers members and players.