Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody diagnosed with motor neurone disease

By PA Sport Staff

Former England captain and 2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The 47-year-old told the BBC of his diagnosis on Monday, two weeks after being given the news.

“There’s something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute,” he said.

Former England captain Lewis Moody has revealed he's been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. pic.twitter.com/ktascf6dzq

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“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.”

Fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow have died from the illness in recent years, with rugby – and in particular England skills coach Kevin Sinfield – embracing a high-profile fundraising campaign to tackle 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 added.

“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.”