Lewis inspired me.. now I'll support him

ITOJE STANDS WITH FORMER CAPTAIN AFTER MND DIAGNOSIS

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

ENGLAND skipper Maro Itoje revealed Lewis Moody was an inspiration for him to play rugby in the wake of the World Cup hero's tragic MND diagnosis.

Itoje was a nine-year-old when Moody and the Red Roses lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003. But that group of stars - headed by captain Martin Johnson and talisman Jonny Wilkinson got him interested in the game.

Moody, 47, went on to play for England until 2011, captaining them at that year's World Cup in New Zealand, before retiring from rugby a year later with 71 caps.

The former flanker went public on Monday with news of his condition and past teammates and other high-profile players immediately rallied to his side.