Lewis Moody left England teammates in tears after cruel MND diagnosis

Former England skipper Lewis Moody will take centre stage at Twickenham on Saturday when he delivers the match ball. The Red Rose icon will make his appearance before England's autumn curtain-raiser against Australia following his recent revelation that he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

The rugby community was stunned when Moody, who won 71 caps for his country, shared his diagnosis on social media. He subsequently appeared on BBC Breakfast with his wife, Annie, discussing in depth how the news came as such a bombshell, especially given how healthy he feels despite this life-altering revelation. "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," the 2003 Rugby World Cup champion told presenter Sally Nugent. "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."

The 47-year-old has discussed how he initially detected something wasn't quite right while training in the gym. The Leicester Tigers legend pursued further investigation after discovering weakness in one shoulder.

"I had an MRI, neck scan and all that type of stuff," he explained to Nugent. "Very quickly, when the scans came back, it became clear that it wasn't anything to do with the neck, despite all the years of throwing myself into contact on the rugby pitch.

"He then sent me straight to the neurologist and off the back of the MRI, he actually had a phone call with me where I sensed he was preparing me for the worst, which was quite difficult."

Saturday's clash between England and Australia will contribute towards raising funds for the Moody family as he starts his treatment. Spectators and television audiences will be encouraged to contribute to the GoFundMe page established by Lewis' mates Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd.

These aren't the only former colleagues visibly moved by news of Moody's condition. Fellow 2003 world champion Phil Vickery became emotional while speaking about his ex-teammate on the .

"You just can't describe it, really," he said. "I think we're all ultra sensitive as well, in rugby, with [ex-Leicester and Gloucester forward] Ed Slater, Doddie [Weir], Rob Burrow and [late England international] Paul Rendall. When I spoke to him last week and he told me, I just couldn't believe it.

"The frustration of it always is, particularly for Lewis, I can honestly say I don't know another kinder, generous, honest, loving human being than that. Why, why, why him?".

The praise hasn't ended there following Moody's revelation of the tremendous backing he's felt since receiving his diagnosis. Another former England colleague to display his feelings was ex-captain and manager Martin Johnson, who wept as Moody recently spoke to supporters at Welford Road, headquarters of his cherished Tigers.

Moody also shared his intentions to dedicate himself to charitable activities in the near future. Responding to a question about Johnson shedding tears during his speech, Moody quipped: "He must have had a dodgy drink."