Former England rugby union captain Lewis Moody has disclosed that he has received a diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND). The 47-year-old is acknowledging the diagnosis but is not fully prepared to confront its implications at this moment, a disease that previously claimed the lives of rugby stars Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
In an interview with the BBC, Moody expressed his reluctance to fully comprehend the future consequences of the diagnosis, stating, “There’s something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute.” Despite understanding the path ahead, he admitted to hesitating to confront the future reality at present.
Moody, renowned for his role in England’s memorable 2003 World Cup triumph, alongside notable players such as Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Dawson, Jason Robinson, and Martin Johnson, had a successful club career with Leicester, clinching numerous domestic and European trophies.
Recently, Moody noticed weakness in his shoulder while working out at the gym. Despite undergoing physiotherapy, the issue persisted, leading to scans that unveiled nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord caused by MND. Despite the diagnosis, Moody shared that he does not feel unwell and is still capable of performing daily tasks, with only minor symptoms like muscle wasting in his hand and shoulder.
Expressing concerns for his family, particularly his sons Ethan and Dylan, aged 15 and 17 respectively, Moody highlighted the emotional challenges of having to disclose his condition to his loved ones. He opened up about the difficulty in sharing the news with his sons, describing it as one of the toughest moments he has faced.
Moody, who was set to participate in a charity rugby match organized by Rob Burrow and Ed Slater last autumn but was sidelined due to a knee injury, expressed his apprehension about the impact of MND on his active lifestyle. He emphasized the need to plan for the future and his struggle to reach out to others affected by the disease due to the newness of his diagnosis.
With a notable international rugby career that included 71 appearances for England, three Six Nations championships, and a World Cup victory in 2003, Moody’s legacy in the sport is significant. He also achieved success at the club level, securing seven Premiership titles with Leicester and two European Cup triumphs before concluding his career at Bath.