Portugal Colonial - Rugby World Cup-winning England star Moody has motor neurone disease

The 47-year-old former flanker said the news had "been incredibly hard to process" and a "huge shock to me and my family."

Moody, capped 71 times and who also won the European Cup twice with Leicester Tigers, said he would focus on remaining positive.

"I'm writing to share some tough news," he said in a statement.

"I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

"This has been incredibly hard to process and a huge shock to me and my family.

"I feel fit and well in myself and I’m focused on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes I will experience as they come."

MND causes muscle weakness that worsens over a few months or years. There is currently no cure.

Fellow rugby union player Doddie Weir of Scotland and rugby league's Rob Burrow have died from the disease in recent years.

T.Resende--PC