Lewis Moody, one of England rugby’s fiercest competitors and a World Cup winner, has revealed he is living with motor neurone disease (MND).

He describes his current symptoms as “very minor”, but the diagnosis has come as a profound shock for him and his family.

MND is a progressive disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, loss of motor function, and eventually paralysis.

While tragic in itself, Moody’s diagnosis adds to a concerning pattern in rugby: we’ve also lost Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, and Joost van der Westhuizen to this condition.

Moody earned 71 caps for England, lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003, and led by example on the pitch with heart and grit.

Lewis Moody’s announcement is a call not just to support him, but to support research, to support better care, and to support the work of those already fighting this battle.

Doddie Weir’s legacy lives on through My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which continues to fund vital research into MND, provide grants to affected individuals, and raise awareness across the rugby world and beyond.