The 47-year-old, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, has been diagnosed with the terminal illness
Lewis Moody and his wife Annie talk about his MND diagnosis
Former England skipper and 2003 World Cup winner, Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The 47 year old opened up about his diagnosis while speaking with his wife Annie on BBC Breakfast on Monday (October 6), a fortnight after receiving the news.
“There’s something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute,” Moody expressed. “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.”
In recent years, fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow have passed away from the illness, with the rugby community, particularly England skills coach Kevin Sinfield, leading a high-profile fundraising campaign to combat it. “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 continued.
“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.”
Moody earned 71 caps for England and five for the British and Irish Lions, while also being a seven-time title winner with Leicester. He played in all seven matches when England clinched the 2003 World Cup in Australia and, in the final against the hosts, won the line-out which led to Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal.
Moody ended his club career with Bath but will forever be more commonly associated with Leicester. He made 223 appearances for the Tigers and won two European Cups alongside his domestic honours.
‘Distressed’ RFU statement in full
Bill Sweeney RFU CEO said: “We are all deeply saddened and distressed to learn that Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. 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.”
Former team-mates Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd on Monday launched an online fundraiser to help Moody and his family, passing £1,000 inside the first hour.
What is motor neurone disease and is there a cure?
Motor neurone disease (MND) causes muscle weakness which progressively gets worse over months or years. Messages from motor neurones in the spine and brain gradually stop reaching muscles, which causes them to weaken, stiffen and waste.
There is currently no cure for MND, but treatments can help manage symptoms for as long as possible. The condition usually develops over the age of 50. People with MND have a reduced life expectancy.
Early symptoms include stiff or weak hands – people may have problems holding or gripping things. Other signs include weak legs and feet. This can cause problems with tripping over, lifting the feet or climbing stairs, for example.
People may also experience painful twitches, spasms or muscle cramps. Later signs of MND include issues with breathing, swallowing and speaking. Around half of people with MND experience changes to their thinking and behaviour.
Neurologists can typically diagnose MND following a patient being referred by a GP. Tests that help diagnose MND include blood tests, tests on the nerves, and MRI scans. MND symptoms can progress at varying speeds, which can make diagnosing the condition challenging.
MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. Overall, there is a one in 300 risk of getting MND across a person’s lifetime. Different forms of MND affect people in different ways. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of MND, causing weakness and wasting in the limbs, muscle stiffness and cramps.
Early symptoms are usually tripping up or dropping things. Life expectancy is typically two to five years.
Bulbar onset MND or progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) mainly affects the muscles of the face, throat and tongue, with early signs including slurring of speech or difficulty swallowing. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) affects fewer people, while primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare form of MND.
Can sport cause the condition? Are rugby players and footballers more at risk?
A 2022 study from the University of Glasgow, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, found that former international rugby players had around a 2.5 times higher risk of neurodegenerative disease compared to the rest of the population, with a 15 times higher risk of MND. Led by consultant neuropathologist Prof Willie Stewart, experts compared health outcomes among 412 male, Scottish, former international rugby players and over 1,200 matched individuals from the general population.
Prof Stewart said at the time his study was published: “I am genuinely concerned about what is happening in the modern game, and that if, in 20 years’ time, we repeat this study we would see something even more concerning. Rugby has talked a lot and done a lot about head injury management and whether it can reduce head injury during (training). Those conversations have gone on a while and the pace of progress is pretty slow.”
Other research has suggested that people who play football at a professional level also have an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease. Former Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir died from MND, as did ex-England rugby league star Rob Burrow.
Former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers rugby player Ed Slater was diagnosed with MND in 2022, while former Liverpool and Bradford footballer Stephen Darby was forced to retire at the age of 29 in 2018 after also being diagnosed with MND.
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