The former England and British & Irish Lions flanker, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, has made an ‘incredibly hard’ announcement on social media
07:36, 06 Oct 2025Updated 07:42, 06 Oct 2025
Moody has announced the shock diagnosis on social media
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has announced that he has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The 47-year-old former flanker, who won 71 caps for England and lifted the Rugby World Cup with his country in 2003, said the diagnosis came as a “huge shock” as he announced the news on Monday morning. In a statement shared on his social media channels, he admitted the news had been “incredibly hard” to process but vowed to “continue to embrace life” with his family.
“I’m writing to share some tough news,” Moody wrote. “I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
“This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family. I feel fit and well in myself and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes I will experience as they come.
“I am being well supported by my family, friends and medical professionals and I’m truly grateful to those who, in their time, helped progress research to support others, like me, living with this disease,” he continued.
“Since retiring from the sport I love, and alongside my wife Annie, I’ve been able to dedicate much of the past 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation in support of those affected by brain tumours.
“My plan is to continue with this but to also create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation. I would be so grateful for your help with this and look forward to sharing more, once I am clear on what this looks like.
“For now, please know I feel your love and support; all I ask is that I am given some space to navigate this with my wife and sons, and those closest to us – but without doubt, I will continue to embrace life and grasp opportunities in the same way I always have. Take care, Lewis.”
Moody, who shares two teenage sons with his wife Annie, became one of the most decorated British players of all time over a 16-year career. In addition to captaining England, he was selected by the British & Irish Lions five times and played three Tests, all against the All Blacks during the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
At club level, he became a legend at Leicester Tigers, making 223 appearances over 14 years, winning two Heineken Cups and seven league titles. He also broke Neil Back’s appearances record for a flanker in the process.
After seeing out his career with Bath Rugby, the Ascot-born back-rower – who was awarded an MBE for services to rugby after England’s World Cup victory – retired in 2012.
Moody has since moved into high performance coaching, working with elite athletes and executive leaders, and, alongside Annie, set up The Lewis Moody Foundation in 2014.
The charity has raised more than £2 million for research into brain tumours and provided support and care to affected children and adults.
In light of Moody’s announcement, his close friends and former Leicester Tigers teammates Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd, have launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to support his care, his family’s needs and contribute to related causes in the fight against MND.