Former England captain Lewis Moody has been backed to sort out motor neurone illness with “each ounce of his power” by former team-mate and fellow Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood.

Moody, 47, discovered he had the degenerative, muscle-wasting situation two weeks in the past and has instructed BBC Breakfast he’s struggling to confront the implications of his analysis.

Rugby league legend Rob Burrow and Scotland and British and Irish Lions nice Doddie Weir have each died from the illness prior to now three years.

“He’s probably the most fantastic human that we like to his very core,” Greenwood, who performed alongside Moody for each England and Leicester, instructed BBC Radio 5 Reside.

“It’s simply tragic information, as a result of he is likely one of the nice guys. And I do know there isn’t any order to these items – how you allow this planet – however you root for the nice guys.

“There may be not a nasty bone in his physique. He’s probably the most optimistic human you’ll be able to hope to seek out, after which he had a capability on the pitch to simply flip a swap and be probably the most ferocious competitor.

“He’ll battle this with each ounce of his power.”

Former Gloucester and Leicester second row Ed Slater, who was identified with MND in July 2022, and has led fundraising efforts since mentioned he was “completely devastated” for Moody.

Moody instructed BBC Breakfast that he felt “barely egocentric” for not getting involved with Slater since he discovered he had the illness a fortnight in the past, saying he has been daunted by what the longer term held for him.

“We shall be right here for you as and while you want,” Slater mentioned in a social media message, exterior, earlier than directing followers to a fundraising drive launched for Moody by his pals.

Rugby Soccer Union (RFU) chief govt Invoice Sweeney mentioned Moody, who gained 71 England caps and three caps for the British and Irish Lions, “represents the easiest of rugby’s values” each on and off the pitch.

“Lewis represented England, the British and Irish Lions and his golf equipment Leicester Tigers and Bathtub Rugby with each brilliance and distinction – one of many hardest and most fearless gamers ever to don a again row shirt within the recreation, incomes the respect and admiration of team-mates, opponents, and supporters alike everywhere in the world,” mentioned Sweeney.

“We’re prepared to supply sensible and emotional help to the Moody household in no matter means is required and applicable; and we encourage folks to indicate their help via the fundraising initiatives now being arrange.”