England’s Lewis Moody, a member of the 2003 World Cup-winning team, observed his son’s debut for the national team shortly after disclosing his motor neurone disease diagnosis. Moody, 47, revealed that he experienced initial weakness in his shoulder during a workout, leading to scans confirming nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord due to MND.
The former rugby star, who played alongside legends like Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson, is now supporting his son Dylan, a 17-year-old goalkeeper for Southampton. Dylan recently made his England under-18 debut, contributing to a 1-0 victory over France at St George’s Park.
During the match, Dylan came off the bench, joining teammates such as Elijah Upson and Reigan Heskey. The winning goal was scored in stoppage time by Upson. Lewis Moody proudly shared his son’s achievement on Instagram, calling him a “legend” and a “warrior.”
Despite his diagnosis, Moody remains positive, expressing minimal discomfort and a desire to maintain a normal life for as long as possible. He acknowledged the emotional impact of the diagnosis but admitted to feeling physically well. Moody shared his reluctance to fully grasp the future implications of his condition, stating that while he understands the path ahead, he is not yet ready to confront it.