ENGLAND rugby legend Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The 47-year-old was part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and captained the nation during a stellar career.
Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with MND
Moody captained the England Rugby team during a stellar career
He was part of a legendary side that won the World Cup
Moody revealed the health update in an interview
Moody discovered he had Motor Neurone Disease (MND) after noticing some weakness in his shoulder while training in the gym, reports the BBC.
After physiotherapy failed to improve the problem, a series of scans showed nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.
He told the outlet: “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.
“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.”
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.
Moody was a flanker nicknamed ‘Crazy Horse’ and ‘Mad Dog’ for his bruising style.
The England legend claimed the line-out ball which teed up Jonny Wilkinson’s famous winning drop-goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.
Moody was part of an England side who also reached the final once more in 2007, against all odds.
After a 36-0 drubbing by South Africa, the players seized control, England went back to basics and stunned Australia and hosts France to reach the final against the Springboks.
A Mark Cueto ‘try’, disallowed after a tortuous TMO routine, was England’s great missed opportunity in a 15-6 defeat.
Four years later, Moody captained a squad coached by his revered former Leicester and England skipper Martin Johnson.
