Former rugby star Ed Slater backs fellow motor neurone disease sufferer Lewis Moody after World Cup winner's bombshell diagnosis - and offers his advice on living with devastating illness

Ed Slater has called for the UK Government to intervene with more funding to try and find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND) and told Lewis Moody he is ‘absolutely here’ for him. 

England 2003 World Cup winner, former national captain and Leicester and Bath flanker Moody, 47, this week confirmed the tragic news he had been diagnosed with MND. 

Slater, another ex-Leicester player, received the same life-shattering confirmation in 2022 and continues to live with the illness. 

MND is a life-shortening neurological disease which affects the nerves that control movement and leads to muscles deteriorating so they no longer work. There is no cure. 

‘Fundraising helps fill the gaps but it shouldn’t be up to families and friends or members of the public to fund basic progress,’ said Slater. 

‘We need governments and major institutions to step up, fast-track treatments and support people living with MND properly. Every year we delay, more people lose their voices, their independence and their lives. It’s that simple.

‘I don’t have a specific message for Lewis other than I am absolutely here for you whatever that is, whenever that is. When we get the chance to see each other, I’m sure we’ll talk about all sorts. We’re all different and process things differently. 

‘My reaction was one of complete sadness for Lewis, his family and friends. This disease impacts so many people close to it which is the thing I hate most about living with MND. 

‘What helps me may not help someone else. But I know Lewis is a tremendous guy with a wonderful family. I’d say be with them, make memories and go away together. ‘Lewis is a strong, inspirational man. My immediate thoughts are with his family.’ 

Moody’s revelation on Monday morning shocked the rugby world and led to an outpouring of support from across the sport. In 2023, the UK Government – then under Conversative guidance – confirmed ‘around three-quarters’ of the £50million pledged to fight MND had been handed out. 

The money supported various different health projects on the disease. But no cure has yet been found and Slater believes more can be done.

The impact of MND has meant the 37-year-old now uses a machine to help him speak publicly. He can still talk unaided, but chooses to use his machine as people struggle to understand him otherwise.

As things stand, there has been no proven link that rugby players are more susceptible to falling ill with the cruelty that is MND as a result of their careers and suffering possible head injuries. However, a small study has suggested that may well be the case. 

Former Scotland and Lions lock Doddie Weir, rugby league legend Rob Burrow and ex-South African scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen all died as a result of MND. Slater and now Moody are both living with the disease. It also affects many people in wider society who have not been elite athletes. 

Studies suggest in the region of 5,000 people in the UK have MND at any one time. ‘You don’t just keep your spirits up. It’s a proper battle to do it,’ Slater said. 

‘Some days I win, some days I lose. What helps me is purpose and it might be the simplest thing, like getting out of the house to go to the park or having friends over and talking nonsense.

'They are little but meaningful things to me. I have an incredible wife and three kids I am extremely proud of so spending time with them is my biggest purpose. I consider every day I spend with them a privilege.’ 

Moody and his wife Annie have confirmed they plan to fight on in the wake of receiving the most unimaginable news. Moody this week watched his son Dylan play for England’s Under-18 football side in a game in which he saved a penalty. 

‘Rugby has been learning along with everyone else on the impact of concussion,’ Slater said. 

‘The sport is always looking to improve its protocols with the introduction of head injury assessments, independent doctors and mouthguards which measure collisions and help to remove a player when a collision is above the threshold set by medical professionals. 

‘Rugby is making changes to improve safety and welfare. But we cannot forget what the game is – a contact sport with risks. ‘I don’t know how much the game can change to make it safer. I love the game for what it is and if I could still play, I would.’