VIDEO SHOWS: INTERVIEW WITH FORMER ENGLAND RUGBY UNION CAPTAIN LEWIS MOODY / FILE FOOTAGE OF LEWIS MOODY RESENDING WITH FULL SHOTLIST SHOWS: (UNKNOWN LOCATION, ENGLAND, UK (RECENT) (BBC – No use UK) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORM R ENGLAND RUGBY CAPTIAN., LEWIS MOODY, SAYING: "Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, and I think it's safe to say it came as a fairly sizable shock to all of us, and we were rightly quite emotional about it. But it's so strange because I feel like nothing's wrong, you know, I don't feel ill, I don't feel unwell. Yes, so a sort of strange position to be in, but we've processed lots of emotions over over the last couple of weeks. It's never me that I feel sad for. It's the sort of sadness around having to tell my mum, having to tell the boys. I mean, you know, two brilliant boys. And it was pretty heartbreaking when it. But we sat on the couch in tears. You know, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in, you know, and each other. And the dog then jumped over, started licking the tears of our faces, which was rather sweet, but it was without a shadow of doubt, the horriblest, hardest thing I've ever had to do but I'm really grateful we did it." (BAGSHOT, ENGLAND, UK) (FILE – NOVEMBER 18, 2009) (ORIGINALLY 4:3 MATERIAL) (REUTERS) 2. LEWIS MOODY TRAINING WITH ENGLAND TEAM (UNKNOWN LOCATION, ENGLAND, UK (RECENT) (BBC – No use UK) 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER ENGLAND RUGBY CAPTIAN., LEWIS MOODY, SAYING: "With Rob (Burrow). And, you know, having witnessed Doddie (Weir) and the brilliant stuff that Kev Sinfield's done, you know, on behalf of Rob and then most recently Ed Slater. So we see it all in the news. You're aware of it. You know, I feel slightly selfish in a way that I've been reluctant to reach out to anyone, to any of those guys, to Ed sorry, because naively or not, I don't know what's right or wrong in this situation we've been through it. And there is a reluctance, maybe an avoidance to look into the future. There's no there's definitely, it's not they don't understand where it's going. We understand that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now, for sure.And that's why, you know, selfishly, again, and I actually hate myself and I hate myself is too strong a word. But, you know, the fact that I haven't been able to reach out, you know, to those people that are suffering with it and really, yeah, I feel selfish that I've not been able to accept that and look into the future.But there will be a time when I can and when I can process that and I would like to as well. So if they're watching over me, there's no, I'm just not ready yet." (BAGSHOT, ENGLAND, UK) (FILE – NOVEMBER 18, 2009) (ORIGINALLY 4:3 MATERIAL) (REUTERS) 4. LEWIS MOODY TRAINING WITH ENGLAND TEAM AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (FILE – SEPTEMBER 30, 2011) (REUTERS) 5. MARTIN JOHNSON WITH CAPTAIN LEWIS MOODY STORY: Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, he said on Monday. Moody, a flanker who was in the team that won the World Cup in 2003 and took over as captain from Steve Borthwick in 2010, retired from the sport in 2012. Hugely popular with fans and team mates for his fearless approach, Moody won seven Premiership titles during a 14-year spell with Leicester. He was capped 71 times by England. "You're given this diagnosis of MND and we're rightly quite emotional about it, but it's so strange because I feel like nothing's wrong," Moody, 47, told the BBC in an interview. There is no cure for MND, a life-shortening illness in which muscles gradually weaken, stiffen and waste, according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Scotland's Doddie Weir and rugby league player Rob Burrow have died after battles with the illness in recent years. "I don't feel ill. I don't feel unwell. My symptoms are very minor. I have a bit of muscle wasting in the hand and the shoulder. I'm still capable of doing anything and everything. And hopefully that will continue for as long as is possible." In a statement, Rugby Football Union (RFU) CEO Bill Sweeney said the governing body was "saddened and distressed" to learn of the news. "His contribution to rugby, both on and off the field, reflects the very best of our sport's values," Sweeney added. "Our thoughts are with Lewis and his family and friends at this very difficult time as they come to terms with this diagnosis and I know the entire rugby community stands with them and will support them." (Production: Oliver Regan)
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