Lewis Moody, Ex-England Captain, Reveals ALS Diagnosis

Lewis Moody, Rugby World Cup Winner, Reveals ALS Diagnosis

Former English rugby player Lewis Moody, a Rugby World Cup champion, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative neuromuscular disease. Moody, 47, shared the news after being diagnosed with this disease that causes muscle weakness. The announcement was made through an interview.

There’s something about looking at the future head-on and not wanting to process that at this moment. It’s not that I don’t understand where it’s going. We understand it. But there’s absolutely a reluctance to look at the future head-on for now.

Lewis Moody

Moody was a key player in England’s 2003 triumph. He played in all seven World Cup matches in Australia and, in the final against the hosts, won the line-out that led to Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal. In his career, Moody won seven Premiership titles with the Leicester Tigers and two Heineken Cups, finishing his career at Bath.

ALS is a degenerative neurological condition that generally shortens life. The symptoms and the speed at which muscle weakness develops can vary between individuals. Currently, there is no cure. Moody reported that he noticed the first symptoms after feeling weakness in his shoulder while at the gym. After physiotherapy, scans revealed nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord due to ALS. In a social media post, Moody expressed that, although the diagnosis was a “shock”, he is receiving great support from his family and medical professionals. Moody retired from international rugby in 2011 and left the professional game a year later.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has expressed its support for Moody and his family. The old Moody clubs also offered their support. PA information contributed to this story.