Lewis Moody, a former England international who was part of the Rugby World Cup-winning side in 2003, has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
The 47-year-old discovered he had MND, a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system, after noticing some weakness in his shoulder while training in the gym.
He soon underwent physiotherapy but after it failed to improve the problem, scans showed nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by the disease.
The former Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby player confirmed his MND diagnosis on Monday morning, saying it had been "incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family".
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In a social media post, he wrote: "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.
"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."
He continued: "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."
Moody, who won 71 England caps from 2001 to 2011, opened up on his diagnosis to the BBC, two weeks after learning he has the disease.
"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 said. "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."
Former rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, the ex-Leeds Rhinos scrum-half and hooker who was diagnosed with MND two years after he retired from the game, have died from the disease in recent years.
What is MND?
The NHS website states that MND 'causes muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years'. It adds: "It's usually life-shortening and there's currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms."
What causes MND?
It's currently unclear why a person might develop MND. For a lot of people, it's thought that it comes down to a combination of certain genes, in addition to other factors.
However, things may trigger MND, according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. These triggers include lifestyle and environment such as high levels of exercise, exposure to agricultural chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical trauma, military service, and exposure to a variety of heavy metals.
What are the symptoms of MND?
Initial symptoms of MND include stiff or weak hands, weak legs and feet, and twitches, spasms or muscle cramps.
As the disease worsens, you might find that you start experiencing difficulty swallowing, drooling, changes in your mood and personality, and difficulty walking or moving.
The NHS adds: "The symptoms affect everyone differently. You may not get all the symptoms and how quickly they get worse can vary from person to person."
You can find out more about the condition here.
Topics: Rugby, Rugby Union, England
Jack Kenmare