England great Moore suffers heart attack

London - England rugby great Brian Moore was recovering in intensive care on Saturday after suffering a heart attack.

The 55-year-old former hooker - capped 64 times and who also played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions - thanked the emergency services staff for saving his life.

"As this is starting to get out - I'm in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of St George's (hospital in London) having suffered heart attack. Thanks to the professionals who saved my life," tweeted Moore, whose nom de guerre on the pitch was "Pitbull".

English rugby's governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), tweeted its support.

"Wishing a speedy recovery. Get well soon Brian."

Former England prop Alex Corbisiero chimed in: "Hope you're ok mate. Wishing you the best."

Moore, a trained solicitor, was part of a highly effective if not crowd-pleasing England side that won the then Five Nations Grand Slam on three occasions and reached the 1991 World Cup final, losing 12-6 to Australia at Twickenham.

Moore, whose combative style on the pitch transformed seamlessly into a highly successful punditry career when he hung up his boots, was also part of the Lions team that beat the Wallabies 2-1 in a Test series in 1989.

Moore's sardonic humour came through in a later tweet on Saturday.

"I'm trying to work out whether nearly 5K (thousand) of likes over the news I've had a heart attack is sympathy or schadenfreude."

As this is starting to get out- I'm in ICU of St George's having suffered heart attack. Thanks to the professionals who saved my life.

— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) April 8, 2017

I'm trying to work out whether nearly 5K of likes over the news I've had a heart attack is sympathy or schadenfreude.

— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) April 8, 2017