Former England captain Lewis Moody revealed on Monday that he has been recognized with Motor Neurone Illness (MND).
Moody, 47, retired from rugby in 2012 after an illustrious profession spanning 16 years, which noticed him characterize Leicester Tigers, Bathtub, England and the British and Irish Lions.
The previous flanker received nearly each trophy accessible to him and performed in among the largest video games the game has to supply.
We glance again at Lewis Moody’s profession and every thing he achieved within the sport.
Who’s Lewis Moody?
Moody was born on June 12, 1978 in Ascot and commenced taking part in rugby on the age of 5 at Bracknell, who he performed for till he was 12.
Moody attended prestigious rugby college Oakham, whose alumni consists of fellow England internationals Jack van Poortvliet and Tom Croft, in addition to Scotland’s Hamish Watson and Wales fly-half Sam Costelow.
Whereas a pupil there, Moody initially operated as a centre after which as a full-back.
Moody joined the Leicester Tigers academy, the place he moved to the again row and have become a flanker.
He shortly made waves at Leicester and have become the youngest participant to characterize the membership within the league in 1996, aged 18 years and 94 days, a document now held by Ben Youngs.
Moody turned a mainstay at Welford Street and would go on to characterize the membership 217 instances, probably the most for a flanker, earlier than spending his closing two years at Bathtub.
He made his England debut in 2001 towards Canada and would go on to change into an integral a part of the World Cup successful aspect in 2003.
Moody additionally represented the British and Irish Lions on the 2005 tour to New Zealand.
What has Moody received?
Moody was at Leicester throughout their glory years and performed a component in seven Premiership wins, together with successful 4 titles in a row between 1999 and 2002.
Tigers additionally received consecutive European titles in 2001 and 2002 and Moody additionally featured within the aspect that received the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2007.
He received 71 caps for England, successful two Six Nations titles, together with the Grand Slam in 2003.
Moody performed in all seven matches as England made historical past when successful the 2003 Rugby World Cup, successful the decisive lineout earlier than Jonny Wilkinson’s successful drop purpose within the closing and being awarded an MBE in 2004.
He performed in all three Check matches within the 2005 Lions collection in New Zealand.
In 2007, Moody once more featured closely for England as they reached the 2007 World Cup closing, and he ended his profession as England captain on the 2011 Rugby World Cup, earlier than retiring from all types of the sport a 12 months later.
What was Moody like as a participant?
Having made his debut aged 18 towards Orrell, few would have predicted simply how Moody’s profession would have turned out.
Recalling his debut with the Impartial in 2002, Moody stated: “It was fairly terrifying.”
“All people regarded so big, they thought, ‘who the hell is that this younger sprog?’ I weighed about 13 stone on the time and was handled like a rag doll — it was a lot more durable than I believed it could be, and it taught me loads.”
Moody turned a fearless, uncompromising flanker, and developed the nickname “Mad Canine” for his dedication to the trigger for membership and nation.
Moody’s ardour for the sport was second to none, emphasised by him taking part in with a stress fracture in his leg whereas at Leicester. He additionally made a speedy restoration from a nasty ankle break, taking part in the complete 80 minutes in his first sport again simply three months later.
The flanker would by no means again down from any problem, maybe greatest proven when Moody turned the primary England participant to be despatched off at Twickenham after getting right into a vicious combat with Leicester teammate Alesana Tuilagi within the win over Samoa.
What has Moody finished since he retired?
Upon retiring from taking part in in March 2012, Moody arrange the Lewis Moody Basis in 2014, a charity which helps to deal with mind tumours with analysis, help and training.
Moody’s legacy on the pitch has continued with son Dylan, who’s a promising goalkeeper with Southampton under-18s and has represented England under-18s.
What’s MND?
Motor Neurone Illness causes muscle weak spot which progressively will get worse over months or years.
Messages from motor neurones within the backbone and mind regularly cease reaching muscular tissues, which causes them to weaken, stiffen and waste.
There may be presently no treatment for MND, however remedies will help handle signs for so long as attainable.
The situation often develops over the age of fifty. Individuals with MND have a decreased life expectancy.
Fellow rugby gamers Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow have died after being recognized with the illness in recent times.
What are the signs?
Early signs embrace stiff or weak fingers — individuals could have issues holding or gripping issues.
Different indicators embrace weak legs and ft. This may trigger issues with tripping over, lifting the ft or climbing stairs, for instance. Individuals can also expertise painful twitches, spasms or muscle cramps, later indicators of MND embrace points with respiration, swallowing and talking.
Round half of individuals with MND expertise modifications to their considering and behavior.
How is MND recognized?
Neurologists can sometimes diagnose MND following a affected person being referred by a GP.
Assessments that assist diagnose MND embrace blood assessments, assessments on the nerves, and MRI scans.
MND signs can progress at various speeds, which might make diagnosing the situation difficult.
How many individuals are affected and are there various kinds of MND?
MND impacts as much as 5,000 adults within the UK at anyone time. Total, there’s a one in 300 danger of getting MND throughout an individual’s lifetime.
Totally different types of MND have an effect on individuals in numerous methods. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the commonest type of MND, inflicting weak spot and losing within the limbs, muscle stiffness and cramps.
Early signs often embrace tripping up or dropping issues.
Bulbar onset MND or progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) primarily impacts the muscular tissues of the face, throat and tongue, with early indicators together with slurring of speech or issue swallowing.
Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) impacts fewer individuals, whereas main lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a uncommon type of MND.
What has Moody stated?
After revealing his analysis in an interview with the BBC, Moody stated on social media: “I am writing to share some powerful information.
“I’ve just lately been recognized with ALS, often known as Motor Neurone Illness.
“This has been extremely laborious to course of and an enormous shock to me and my household.
“I really feel match and effectively in myself and I am centered on staying optimistic, residing life and coping with the modifications I’ll expertise as they arrive.
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“I’m being effectively supported by my household, pals and medical professionals.
“Since retiring from the game I like, and alongside my spouse Annie, I have been capable of dedicate a lot of the previous 12 years to fundraising for The Lewis Moody Basis in help of these affected by mind tumours.
“My plan is to proceed with this however to additionally create a chance to help a charity nearer to my present scenario.
“I’ll proceed to embrace life and grasp alternatives in the identical approach I all the time have.”
Info from PA contributed to this report.
