England star Moody has motor neurone disease

Lewis Moody, a pivotal member of England's 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning team, revealed on Monday he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

- 

The 47-year-old former flanker who also captained England said the news had "been incredibly hard to process" and a "huge shock to me and my family."

Moody, capped 71 times and who won the European Cup twice with Leicester Tigers, said he would focus on remaining positive.

"I'm writing to share some tough news," he said in a statement.

"I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

"This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.

"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."

Moody, who is married with two teenage sons, told the BBC he and his family understood the consequences of the diagnosis.