SOMERSET-based rugby legend Lewis Moody has revealed a motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.

The world cup winner, who lives just outside Bath, is the latest athlete to be diagnosed with the muscle-wasting condition, following the likes of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

Former England captain Moody, 47, retired from rugby in 2012 following a glittering career, which included domestic and European titles with Leicester, as well as winning the world cup with England in 2003 and a stint with Bath.

Revealing his diagnosis to the BBC, the star said he was coming to terms with his condition.

“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.

“Maybe that’s shock or maybe I process things differently, and once I have the information, it’s easier,” he added.

An investigation into his fitness came after the flanker noticed weakness in his shoulder while working out.
Physio failed to fix the problem and scans revealed damage to nerves in his brain and spinal cord – caused by MND.

“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 added. “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.”

There is currently no cure for MND, and speaking alongside his wife, Annie, Moody revealed he struggled when telling his sons, Dylan, 17, and 15-year-old Ethan, the news, as well as his mum.

“There is no cure and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now,” he said.

“We’ve been really lucky that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to spend as much time with the kids as possible. We don’t get those years back.”