Lewis Moody, former England captain, reveals ALS diagnosis

Lewis Moody, Rugby World Cup Winner, Reveals ALS Diagnosis

Former English rugby player Lewis Moody, a Rugby World Cup winner, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND). Moody, 47, shared the news after receiving the diagnosis two weeks ago.

There’s something about looking the future in the face 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 the future in the face for now.

Lewis Moody

Moody was a key player in England’s 2003 triumph, and played 71 matches between 2001 and 2011. He participated in the seven matches that led England to win the World Cup in Australia, and in the final against the hosts, he won the line-out that led to Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal. He was also part of the British and Irish Lions in 2005. At a national level, he won seven Premiership titles with the Leicester Tigers and two Heineken Cups, finishing his career at Bath.

During his playing career, Moody was a relentless flanker, known for his incredible work rate and considered a true team player. He was a ferocious tackler, an exceptional operator in the ruck area and was considered one of the best players to have graced the game in the professional era. ALS is a degenerative neurological disease that generally shortens life. Specific symptoms and the speed at which muscle weakness develops can vary among individuals. There is no cure. Moody reported that he noticed the first symptoms after feeling some weakness in his shoulder while at the gym. After physiotherapy, scans showed damage to the nerves 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 we are quite excited 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 am 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 is receiving good support from his family and medical professionals. He added that 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 stepped away from the professional game a year later.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced that it will support Moody and his family.

We are all deeply saddened and distressed to learn that Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neuron disease.

Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU

Sweeney added that the rugby community is with Moody and his family, and that practical and emotional support will be offered. The former Moody clubs also offered their support. Leicester Tigers executive Andrea Pinchin said that “the figures, trophies and awards tell you what an incredible player Lewis was, but that’s only half the story.” Bath Rugby CEO, Tarquin McDonald, expressed that “this is heartbreaking news and our thoughts and best wishes are with Lewis, his immediate family, and his wider circle of friends and loved ones.”