Former England rugby captain Moody diagnosed with motor neurone disease

Lewis Moody, the former England rugby captain and 2003 World Cup winner, has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as motor neurone disease.

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The 47-year-old Moody went public with his diagnosis on Monday, saying he has “a bit of muscle wasting in the hand and the shoulder” while describing them as “minor symptoms” at the moment.

“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,” he said in a statement.

Moody was given the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis two weeks ago. He said he noticed symptoms for the first time while training in the gym. Physiotherapy didn’t make his shoulder feel better, he said, and scans later showed nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by ALS.