'The most wonderful human' - Greenwood leads support for Moody after MND diagnosis

Former England captain Lewis Moody has been backed to tackle motor neurone disease with "every ounce of his strength" by former team-mate and fellow Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood.

Moody, 47, learned he had the degenerative, muscle-wasting condition two weeks ago and has told BBC Breakfast he is struggling to confront the implications of his diagnosis.

Rugby league legend Rob Burrow and Scotland and British and Irish Lions great Doddie Weir have both died from the disease in the past three years.

"He is the most wonderful human that we love to his very core," Greenwood, who played alongside Moody for both England and Leicester, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It is just tragic news, because he is one of the great guys. And I know there is no order to this stuff - how you leave this planet - but you root for the good guys.

"There is not a nasty bone in his body. He is the most optimistic human you can hope to find, and then he had an ability on the pitch to just turn a switch and be the most ferocious competitor.

"He will fight this with every ounce of his strength."

Former Gloucester and Leicester second row Ed Slater, who was diagnosed with MND in July 2022, and has led fundraising efforts since said he was "absolutely devastated" for Moody.

Moody told BBC Breakfast that he felt "slightly selfish" for not getting in contact with Slater since he found out he had the disease a fortnight ago, saying he has been daunted by what the future held for him.

"We will be here for you as and when you need," Slater said in a social media message, external, before directing followers to a fundraising drive launched for Moody by his friends.

Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Bill Sweeney said Moody, who won 71 England caps and three caps for the British and Irish Lions, "represents the very best of rugby's values" both on and off the pitch.

"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 back row shirt in the game, earning the respect and admiration of team-mates, opponents, and supporters alike all over the world," said Sweeney.

"We are ready to offer practical and emotional support to the Moody family in whatever way is needed and appropriate; and we encourage people to show their support through the fundraising initiatives now being set up."

Kevin Sinfield, who was awarded a CBE for his services to the motor neurone disease community after his friend Burrow's diagnosis inspired him to raise more than £10m to fund research and awareness, sent Moody a message of support and made a fresh vow to tackle the disease.

"I'm obviously very saddened by the news," said Sinfield, who is the skills and kicking coach for the England national team. "I'd like to wish Lewis, and all his family and friends, the very best.

"I'll support in any way I can. We have to keep fighting MND [motor neurone disease] together."

Andrea Pinchen, Sweeney's counterpart at Leicester Tigers where Moody made 223 appearances, winning seven English titles and two European crowns over 14 years, also paid tribute to Moody as a person, as well as a player.

"The figures, trophies and awards tell you what an incredible player Lewis was, but that is only half the story," said Pinchen.

"One minute he's parading around with the World Cup trophy and the following Friday he'd be in the ticket office where I worked, answering the phone to supporters if we were really busy and helping sell tickets.

"As an individual, his commitment to his club along with his warmth and passion shone through, which endeared him to team-mates, staff and supporters alike.

"Always looking to help others, Lewis together with his wife Annie have worked tirelessly through the Lewis Moody Foundation, supporting research into brain tumours and helping affected families.

"He absolutely threw himself in. It was very much lead by example. He would never ask somebody to do something he wouldn't do himself. He is utterly fearless."

Football's Leicester City added their support, describing Moody as "a sporting great of our city"., external

Moody's extended interview on MND diagnosis