Former England captain and World Cup winner Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The 47-year-old, who retired from top-flight rugby union in 2012 having won 71 England caps, discovered he had the disease after some weakness in his shoulder following a gym session.
Motor neurone disease (MND) is an uncommon and rapidly progressing neurological disease affecting the brain and nerves.
Life expectancy post-diagnosis is just 27 months, however an estimated 10 per cent of people living with the disease survive for 10 years or more.
There is no current cure.
Moody, a fan favourite, lion-hearted flanker, enjoyed considerable success with Leicester Tigers, winning seven Premiership titles and two European Cups in 14 years.
He won three Six Nations titles with England, including the 2003 grand slam, prior to the 2003 Rugby World Cup success, where he came off the bench in the final against Australia in Sydney.
Moody also represented the British and Irish Lions, winning two Test caps in the 2005 tour to New Zealand.
He told BBC Sport he did not feel unwell at the moment, something he hoped would remain the case for as long as possible, but admitted he was not certain how to process the news.
"There's something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute," he said.
"It's not that I 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."
He added that he was grateful that since retiring from rugby in 2012, his main focus has been to spend time with his two sons, Dylan (17) and Ethan (15), although telling them that he had the disease was "heartbreaking".
"We've been really lucky that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to spend as much time with the kids as possible," Moody said.
"We don't get those years back.
"It's never me that I feel sad for, it's the sadness around having to tell my mum, as an only child, and the implications that has for her.
"It [telling my sons] was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
"They are two brilliant boys and that was pretty heartbreaking.
"We sat on the couch in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog jumped over and started licking the tears off our faces, which was rather silly."
Moody has been a long-standing patron of various charities, including establishing The Lewis Moody Foundation with his wife Annie.
The foundation has raised over 2 million pounds ($4 million) to fund research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours, while also organising trips for families to help create positive memories despite their diagnosis.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Bill Sweeney said it 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 said.
"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."
British and Irish Lions chair Ieuan Evans said he was "greatly saddened" to hear of Moody's diagnosis.
"Lewis has given rugby so much throughout his excellent career," Evans said in a statement.
"As a player Lewis inspired so many fans during a glittering career.
"On behalf of everyone at The British and Irish Lions we are all thinking of Lewis and his family at this difficult time."
His former club Leicester said it would support the Moody family "in any way we can".
"The figures, trophies and awards tell you what an incredible player Lewis was, but that is only half the story," Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen said in a statement.
"As an individual, his commitment to his club along with his warmth and passion shone through, which endeared him to teammates, staff and supporters alike. Always looking to help others, Lewis together with Annie have worked tirelessly through the Lewis Moody Foundation, supporting research into brain tumours and helping affected families."
Moody's MND diagnosis is the latest in a long number of former rugby players to have been diagnosed with the disease.
English rugby league international Rob Burrow passed away aged 41 four years after being diagnosed with the disease, while Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir died six years post-diagnosis aged 52.
Former Queensland Origin player Carl Webb passed away aged 42, four years post-diagnosis.
Ex-AFL star Neale Daniher was this year crowned Australian of the Year for his work in raising more than $100 million to end MND, having been diagnosed in 2013.
A 2022 study at the University of Glasgow concluded a group of former Scottish international rugby players were 15 times more likely to develop MND than the general population.
In findings published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, researchers found that the players' group had an approximately two and a half times higher risk of neurodegenerative disease than expected but that player position had no impact on risk.
Studies in Italian footballers, meanwhile, have suggested rates up to six times higher than the general population.
In 2021, scientists at the University of Sheffield performed a series of genetic tests and showed "conclusively" that exercise was increasing risk.
