Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The 47-year-old was part of the 2003 World Cup-winning side and played for Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby.
Moody won 71 caps for England and also won five for the British and Irish Lions, while he was a seven-time title winner with Leicester.
He played in all seven matches as England won the 2003 World Cup in Australia and, in the final against the hosts, won the line-out which led to Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal.
Moody discovered he had MND after noticing some weakness in his shoulder while training in the gym.
Scans showed nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.
Fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow were killed by the disease.
The disease kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis, as swallowing and breathing become more difficult, according to the charity MND Association.
Speaking to the BBC, Moody said: "There's something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute.
"It's not that I don't understand where it's going. We understand that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease
|GETTY
He added: "Maybe that's shock or maybe I process things differently, and once I have the information, it's easier.
"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 added.
"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."
Moody discovered he had MND after noticing some weakness in his shoulder while training in the gym
|PA
The rugby community have embraced a high-profile fundraising campaign to tackle the deadly disease.
Elite athletes are disproportionately affected by MND, with a study of Italian footballers suggesting the rate of the disease is up to six times higher than in the general population.
The exact cause of MND is unknown, but it is believed to result from a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors.
It is thought that by limiting the oxygen available and causing damage to motor neuron cells, regular, strenuous exercise can trigger the disease in those already genetically susceptible.
Lewis Moody was part of the 2003 World Cup-winning side and played for Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby
|GETTY
Moody said: "It's never me that I feel sad for.
"It's the sadness around having to tell my mum - as an only child - and the implications that has for her."
He described telling his two teenage sons as "the hardest thing I've ever had to do," adding: "They are two brilliant boys and that was pretty heartbreaking.
"We sat on the couch in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog jumped over and started licking the tears off our faces, which was rather silly."
His eldest son Dylan Moody is a goalkeeper for Southampton and England Under-18s
|GETTY
Speaking on the disease, the England legend explained: "There is no cure and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now.
"As Annie said, we've been really lucky that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to spend as much time with the kids as possible. We don't get those years back.
"It is daunting because I love being active and embracing life, whether it's on the rugby pitch, watching the kids, whatever it is."
"There's a lot of questions around what we need to put in place for the future. It's still so new, I found out two weeks ago."
Rob Burrow was killed by the disease in 2024
|PA
Moody made his England debut against Canada on June 2, 2001 and announced his retirement from international rugby on October 23, 2011.
Bill Sweeney, CEO of the Rugby Football Union, said: "We are all deeply saddened and distressed to learn that Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
"Lewis represented England, the British and Irish Lions and his clubs Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby with both brilliance and distinction – one of the toughest and most fearless players ever to don a backrow shirt in the game, earning the respect and admiration of team-mates, opponents, and supporters alike all over the world.
"His contribution to rugby, both on and off the field, reflects the very best of our sport’s values.
"Our thoughts are with Lewis and his family and friends at this very difficult time as they come to terms with this diagnosis and I know the entire rugby community stands with them and will support them.”