Lewis Moody’s 18-year-old son, Dylan, says he finds motivation in his father’s battle with motor neurone disease (MND) as he pursues his own football career. Lewis Moody, the former England rugby union captain, was diagnosed with the incurable neurodegenerative condition last year.

In a documentary filmed with Moody’s wife, Annie, and their two sons, Dylan, who plays as a goalkeeper for Southampton, reflects on his experience representing England at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar in November 2025. The tournament occurred just weeks after Lewis was diagnosed. Dylan described the event as the “best experience” he has had in football but admitted the diagnosis made him more aware of what he was missing at home. “I don’t know what I’ll return to,” Dylan said. “I just tried to make the most of it.” He also expressed that wearing the England shirt like his father brought a sense of connection. “I’d rather it be on my mind than it not be. It helps me day to day, having something to drive me,” he added.

The couple’s younger son, Ethan, 16, who is part of Bath’s youth rugby academy, aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing rugby for England. He said rugby serves as an outlet for him to manage his emotions related to his father’s illness. “Rugby helps because you can let all your anger out,” Ethan said.

Lewis Moody was initially alerted to a problem when he noticed weakness in his shoulder. After medical evaluation, he received his MND diagnosis, a devastating condition that progressively impairs motor nerves controlling muscles, ultimately leading to paralysis. MND gained public attention in the rugby community following the deaths of league legend Rob Burrow and former Scotland international Doddie Weir from the disease. In response to his diagnosis, Moody has engaged actively in fundraising efforts.

In the documentary, Moody’s wife Annie discusses the emotional and physical challenges ahead, acknowledging the difficulty of supporting Lewis as the disease progresses. “Mentally it will be very hard for you. Physically it will be hard for me. I’ll have to physically support you, and mentally. It’s scary. He is going to be trapped in his own body,” she said.

Lewis Moody has expressed a level of acceptance regarding his condition. He shared that a medical specialist reassured him that his MND is not directly caused by his rugby career. Moody suggested that a combination of factors, including genetics and lifestyle, may have contributed to his diagnosis. The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner said, “A number of things come together that make you more predetermined or disposed to it than anyone else.”