England rugby legend Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). The former England captain, aged 47, is grappling with the reality of a condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir.
Moody shared his diagnosis alongside his wife, Annie, in an emotional BBC Sport interview. The couple, parents to two sons, Dylan (17) and Ethan (15), are navigating the shock of the news together.
“I’m not ready to face the future just yet,” Moody admitted, reflecting on the diagnosis. “It’s not that I don’t understand what’s coming, but there’s a reluctance to process it now.”
Despite the diagnosis, Moody feels physically unaffected for now. “I don’t feel ill. My symptoms are minor—just some muscle wasting in my hand and shoulder,” he explained.
The rugby icon remains optimistic, stating, “I’m still capable of doing everything I love. Hopefully, that continues for as long as possible.”
Moody’s rugby career was illustrious, highlighted by England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup victory. He also secured three Six Nations titles during his decade-long international tenure.
Known as ‘Mad Dog’ for his relentless playing style, Moody earned 71 caps for England, showcasing his passion and dedication to the sport.
At the club level, he won seven Premiership titles with Leicester Tigers, his boyhood club, before concluding his career at Bath.
The MND diagnosis came after Moody noticed shoulder weakness during gym training. Physiotherapy failed to help, and scans revealed nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord.
Telling his family was the hardest part, Moody shared. “Breaking the news to my mum, as an only child, and to my kids was heartbreaking,” he said.
Recounting the moment with his sons, Moody described a tearful scene: “Ethan and Dylan were wrapped up in each other, crying, and then the dog started licking our faces.”
MND is a devastating disease, with the MND Association noting that a third of patients pass within a year, and over half within two years.
The rugby community has been hit hard by MND, with players like Rob Burrow, who died in 2019 after a five-year battle, disproportionately affected.
A 2022 study found former international rugby union players face a higher MND risk, while 2024 Durham University research linked concussions to elevated protein levels associated with the disease.
Moody, diagnosed just two weeks ago, is focusing on living fully in the present. “There’s no cure, so we’re embracing every moment now,” he said.
Reflecting on his retirement, Moody is grateful for time spent with his children. “I decided to prioritize my kids after rugby. We don’t get those years back,” he noted.
Moody shared his diagnosis with former teammate Martin Johnson and others, finding comfort in rugby’s tight-knit community. “Their support means everything,” he said.