England’s Rugby World Cup-winner Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Moody, 47, revealed the diagnosis in an interview with the BBC on Monday, a fortnight after the diagnosis of the muscle-wasting disease.
“There’s something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute,” Moody said. “It’s not that I don’t understand where it’s going. We understand that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now.”
He was a key part of England’s 2003 triumph and won 71 caps from 2001 to 2011. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2005 and at domestic level, he won seven Premiership titles with Leicester Tigers and two Heineken Cups while he finished his career at Bath.
MND is a degenerative neurological condition that is usually life-shortening. Specific symptoms and the pace at which muscle weakness develops can vary between individuals. There is no cure.
Moody said he first noticed symptoms after feeling some weakness in his shoulder while in the gym.
He had physiotherapy, but then scans showed damage to nerves in his brain and spinal chord due to MND. Former rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow have died from the illness in recent years.
“You’re given this diagnosis of MND and we’re rightly quite emotional about it, but it’s so strange because I feel like nothing’s wrong,” Moody said.
“I don’t feel ill. I don’t feel unwell.
“My symptoms are very minor. I have a bit of muscle wasting in the hand and the shoulder. I’m still capable of doing anything and everything. And hopefully that will continue for as long as is possible.
“There will be a time when we’ll need to lean on their support but, at the minute, just having that sort of love and acknowledgment that people are there is all that matters.”
“Rugby is such a great community. I said to the kids the other day, I’ve had an incredible life.
“Even if it ended now, I’ve enjoyed all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people. When you get to call your passion your career, it’s one of the greatest privileges.
“To have done it for so long with the teams that I did it with was a pleasure. And I know they will want to support in whatever way they can and I look forward to having those conversations.”
The RFU said it will rally around Moody and his family.
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“We are all deeply saddened and distressed to learn that Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease,” RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said in a statement.
“Lewis represented England, the British and Irish Lions and his clubs Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby with both brilliance and distinction — one of the toughest and most fearless players ever to don a backrow shirt in the game, earning the respect and admiration of teammates, opponents, and supporters alike all over the world.
“His contribution to rugby, both on and off the field, reflects the very best of our sport’s values. Our thoughts are with Lewis and his family and friends at this very difficult time as they come to terms with this diagnosis and I know the entire rugby community stands with them and will support them.
“We are ready to offer practical and emotional support to the Moody family in whatever way is needed and appropriate; and we encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up and available through Go Fund Me.”
