Lewis Moody reveals tearful chat with children after MND diagnosis | Rugby | Sport

MND is a terminal illness that attacks the nerves responsible for controlling movement, causing muscles to deteriorate until they stop functioning entirely. The legendary flanker, who lifted the 2003 Rugby World Cup, received the life-changing diagnosis — for which there is currently no cure — in September. Moody described how he had mentally prepared himself for the news after feeling weakness during shoulder presses at the gym and being referred to a specialist. Yet he recalled how it was far more difficult to break the news to his wife Annie and their two children, Dylan, 18, and Ethan, 15.

He told The Mail: “When I got the news, I was alright about it actually. It was still a shock but I’d prepared myself for it. It was tough for Annie. You’re told it’s the end of the world. It’s devastating. It’s awful. It’s a terrible illness.

“Everything was negative. It was the second referral I had in Oxford with a specialist called Martin Turner that was different. Once I came out of the meeting with Dr Turner, I told my mum first. The worst thing that happened was on the way, I accidentally pocket-called Dylan.

“He could hear part of the conversation, so when we got home he was aware we were going to tell him something. It was the first they were hearing of it, other than knowing I was going to the doctors. Dylan had heard of MND but Ethan had no clue what it was.

“Dylan had a very controlled reaction. There were tears. Ethan was the opposite – just raw emotion. That was the worst bit by far for me – seeing the reaction of the kids and their sadness and emotion. Since then, they’re both doing OK. But it’s tricky.”

Moody hung up his boots in March 2012 due to injuries, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career. He won the Six Nations on two occasions, managing a total of 71 caps for his country.

‘Mad Dog’ was known for his fearless approach on the pitch, which played a pivotal role in helping Leicester Tigers win seven Premiership titles during their dominant run in the early 2000s. He also lifted back-to-back European Cups in 2001 and 2002.