Former England Rugby Captain Lewis Moody Diagnosed with MND
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has revealed that he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). The 47-year-old, known for his fearless playing style and relentless drive on the pitch, is now facing a very different battle—one that has taken the lives of fellow rugby players Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir in recent years.
In an emotional interview with BBC Breakfast, Moody opened up about the diagnosis. “There’s something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute,” he 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.”
Moody said that he first noticed something was wrong when he experienced weakness in his shoulder during a gym session. When physiotherapy didn’t help, scans revealed damage to the nerves in his brain and spinal cord, confirming it was MND. Despite the diagnosis, he says he feels “at ease,” focusing on the present and his family. “Maybe that’s shock or maybe I process things differently, and once I have the information, it’s easier.”
His symptoms are currently minor—some muscle wasting in his shoulder and hand—but he’s painfully aware of what’s ahead. “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,” he said. “I don’t feel ill. I don’t feel unwell.”
What is Motor Neurone Disease?
Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological condition. It can take away a person’s ability to walk, speak, eat, or even breathe. There is currently no cure for MND, although it can be slowed down by treatment. Around one in 300 people in the UK are affected by it, and research shows athletes may be more at risk, especially those with repeated head trauma.
Moody, who won 71 England caps and was a key part of the Leicester Tigers' golden era, is now thinking about how to prepare for what comes next. But nothing could prepare him for telling his family.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” he said about breaking the news to his sons, 17-year-old Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan. “We sat on the couch in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog jumped over and started licking the tears off our faces, which was rather silly.”
Moody’s wife, Annie, joined him during the BBC interview and has been a rock of support. Together, they’ve spent years raising money for brain tumour research through the Lewis Moody Foundation. Now, he says he plans to support a cause closer to his current fight.
“My plan is to continue with this, but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation,” he said in a social media post. “I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once I am clear on what this looks like.”
Despite the news, Moody remains focused on the now. “There is no cure and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now.”
He’s already told a few close former teammates, including England captain Martin Johnson. Others, like Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd, have launched a fundraising page to support him and his family.
Moody says he hasn’t yet been ready to reach out to others living with the disease, like Ed Slater. “If they’re watching—I’m not ready yet, but I absolutely will [be],” he said. And while the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the rugby world will be right behind him.
