Former England captain Lewis Moody has spoken candidly about the risks he knowingly took throughout his rugby career, telling teammate Ben Youngs in a new BBC documentary that he would 'do it again' despite his recent motor neurone disease diagnosis. The 47-year-old, known as 'Mad Dog' for his fearless playing style, won 71 caps for England and toured with the British and Irish Lions during a career that saw him endure numerous concussions.

Moody's reflections come amid growing concerns about rugby's links to neurodegenerative conditions, with several high-profile players including Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir, and Ed Slater also diagnosed with MND. While no proven connection exists between rugby and motor neurone disease, elite athletes are disproportionately affected, possibly due to low oxygen levels during intense exercise damaging motor neurone cells. Moody, who was cleared of early onset dementia in recent tests, acknowledges rugby's public association with MND but emphasizes that extreme exertion, not the sport itself, may be the common factor.

The documentary also highlights how rugby's approach to head injuries has evolved since Moody's playing days. His experiences during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he continued playing after multiple head impacts, contrast sharply with today's stringent concussion protocols. Moody now aims to use his platform to raise awareness about MND, building on the work of fellow sufferers like Burrow and Weir.