Lewis Moody, Ex-England Captain, Reveals ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Diagnosis

Lewis Moody, Rugby World Cup Winner, Reveals ALS Diagnosis

Former England rugby player and World Cup winner, Lewis Moody, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Moody, 47, shared the news in an interview. The announcement came two weeks after receiving the diagnosis of this degenerative disease that affects the muscles.

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 and amassed 71 international matches between 2001 and 2011. He played in all seven World Cup matches in Australia, where England was crowned champion. In the final against the host team, he won the line-out that led to Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal. In addition, he participated in the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour. At club level, he won seven Premiership titles with the Leicester Tigers and two Heineken Cups, finishing his career at Bath. During his career, Moody was a relentless flanker, known for his incredible work rate and considered a true team player. He was a ferocious tackler and excelled in the ruck areas, being recognized as one of the best players of the professional era.

ALS is a degenerative neurological condition that generally shortens life. Symptoms and the speed of development of muscle weakness can vary between individuals. Currently, there is no cure. Moody reported that the first symptoms manifested as weakness in his shoulder during a gym session. After undergoing physiotherapy, scans revealed nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord due to ALS. In recent years, other former rugby players such as Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow have died from this disease.

They give you this ALS diagnosis and rightly we get very emotional about it, but it’s so strange because I feel like nothing is happening. I don’t feel sick. I don’t feel bad. My symptoms are very mild. I have a little muscle wasting in my hand and shoulder. I’m still able to do anything and everything. And I hope that continues for as long as possible.

Lewis Moody

In a social media post, Moody expressed that, although the diagnosis was a “shock”, he has the support of his family and medical professionals. In addition, he was “truly grateful to those who, at the time, helped advance research to support others, like me, who live with this disease”. Moody retired from international rugby in 2011 and left the professional game a year later.

The RFU (Rugby Football Union) has announced that it will provide support to Moody and his family. Moody’s former clubs also offered their support following the announcement of the diagnosis.