Lewis Moody makes emotional return to Welford Road after motor neurone disease diagnosis
Published 18/10/2025 at 21:49 GMT+1
Lewis Moody returned to Welford Road, the pitch he called home for so much of his rugby career, as his two former sides Leicester Tigers and Bath faced off in the Gallagher PREM on Saturday. England 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Moody spoke to former team-mate and TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey at half-time, less than two weeks after his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
'You feel that warmth, that love' - Moody reacts to support after MND diagnosis
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lewis Moody made an emotional return to Welford Road to watch his two former clubs Leicester Tigers and Bath face off in the Gallagher PREM.
It was less than two weeks ago that Moody announced he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Before Tigers clinched a last-minute win over Bath, Moody spoke to former team-mate and TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey at half-time on the pitch.
"It's wonderful," Moody told Healey of the reception he received.
"You don't ever expect news like this, and you don't understand how you'll react when it happens, but to be invited back and have the opportunity to be here with you lot, just have a bit of fun, it's wonderful."
Moody played for Leicester from 1996 until 2010, before a two-year stint at Bath and eventually retiring in March 2012.
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"At the minute we're just trying to figure out where we're going to go with it [his diagnosis]," Moody continued.
"Obviously, there are a lot of brilliant charities, you have the 745 Game over in Gloucester for Ed [Slater] and Rob [Burrow]. You've got the My Name's Doddie Foundation, and if anyone's thinking of fundraising, please just choose a charity that's already out there.
"I won't be starting a new one, but I will be in a couple of weeks aligning with one of those in the hope I can get myself in some challenges and some difficult situations with a few other people."
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Searle sends Leicester fans wild to seal win and end Bath's unbeaten start
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was plenty of emotion surrounding Moody's return, and even Martin Johnson could not keep his eyes dry for his Leicester and England team-mate.
"I don't believe it, he obviously had a dodgy drink or something, it wasn't because of that," joked Moody.
"Look, it's so wholesome to see the boys here and just to have the support. The rugby community is a good one, but at times like this, when you need it, they embrace you and put their arms around you, and you feel that warmth and that love. We feel that today."
Leicester head coach Geoff Parling took time towards the end of his interview with TNT Sports to show love to Moody.
"It was a big day today for the club," Parling said. "Everyone is thinking of 'Moodos' but also of Ed Slater as well. Everything that Doddie [Weir] did and the wider MND community.
"Rugby gets behind its people and we saw that today. Hopefully we can push on and really help the cause."
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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