Lewis Moody’s Wife Shares Heartfelt Message After Ex-England Captain’s MND Diagnosis

Tuesday, 07 October 2025 at 18:45

byRugby Rucker

England World Cup winner Lewis Moody has revealed he’s been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) — and his wife Annie has shared a moving message of love and strength in the wake of the news.

A link to donate to the Lewis Moody Fundraising Appeal can be found here.

Moody, a key figure in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, confirmed he was diagnosed with the condition two weeks ago before going public on Monday.

The former flanker fought back tears as he opened up about the diagnosis alongside Annie, his wife since 2006.

The cause of MND remains unknown, but research suggests elite athletes could be more at risk of developing the devastating muscle-wasting illness — one that has also claimed the lives of rugby greats Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir.

Following the announcement, Annie took to Instagram to post a short but heartfelt tribute to her husband.

“Forever ❤️ We’ve got this babe x.”

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Speaking to the BBC, Annie shared the couple’s mindset as they face the challenge together.

“The hardest thing about processing this is that Lewis is fine but we’ve been given this news about his future which is hard to take on.

We’re trying to keep everything as normal as possible for the boys and for us, as well. We’re really lucky that we’ve had loads of fun in life and that isn’t going to stop.

We’re going to keep doing that until changes happen and we have to adapt. We just need to be strong for each other and we’ve got amazing support network around us, our friends and family have flocked to us.”

Moody’s courage — and Annie’s unwavering support — have already inspired messages of love from across the rugby world.

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The 5 Best Fly-Halves Of All Time, Listed And Ranked

All stats come from ESPN.com and are correct as of the publish date.

5 Best Fly-Halves Of All Time

#5. Jonathan Davies (Wales)

Cross-code star Jiffy made up for his lack of height, standing 5ft 8in, with great pace, great acceleration and natural quality.

The fly-half would have made a lot more appearances for Wales if he had not switched to Rugby League between 1989 and 1995.

During his two periods in Union, he made a total 37 appearances for Wales and is considered one of Wales’s finest ever rugby talents.

Did you know? Davies has since become a television rugby football commentator and media personality, in both the Welsh and English languages.

#4. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

At 36, Sexton’s place on this list of rugby’s best fly-halves is open to dispute.

But if his efforts in last season’s Six Nations and Autumn Internationals are anything to go by, there’s no argument to be had.

Yes, he is old and prone to injury. But the wily Dubliner is still the top dog for Ireland and Leinster.

Did you know? Sexton was the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, having previously been a nominee for the award in 2014

#3. Michael Lynagh (Australia)

For a decade from his debut in 1984 to his international retirement in 1995, former Wallaby Skipper Lynagh was one of the most distinguishable players in World Rugby.

After 72 internationals, he had set a new point-scoring record of 911, which is still an Australia record.

He was an important member of the side that won the 1991 World Cup in England, but retired from International Rugby after Australia’s loss to England in the quarter-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Did you know? After quitting the game he maintained close links as a TV pundit in the UK with both Sky Sports and ITV as well as working with World Rugby

#2. Dan Carter (New Zealand)

Carter has established himself as one of the greatest players in history, being near faultless in every department: he can attack, break the line and kick accurately tactically or at goal.

The incomparable All Blacks playmaker, Vice Captain and top points’ scorer set a new international point-scoring record during New Zealand’s triumph at the Rugby World Cup 2011.

He has also won an incredible eight Tri-Nations/The Rugby Championship’s as well as a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2005.

Did you know? In 2008, American Cable Channel E! judged Carter to be 11th on its list of the world’s sexiest men.

#1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

We could only have been one man as number one. Forever remembered as the man whose last-gasp drop-goal won England the Rugby World Cup by edging past the hosts in Australia in 2003.

That moment is just one highlight of a record-breaking career that has seen Wilkinson rise to one of the sport’s all-time greats.

England won 67 of the 91 games Wilkinson played in with him scoring an outstanding total of 1,179 points. He also holds the Rugby World Cup points record with 277.

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