Rugby captain arrives in West Country on MND ride

England's former rugby captain Lewis Moody has been cheered into Gloucester on his way to Bath in the latest leg of his 500-mile (804km) charity bike ride.

The former Bath flanker is attempting to ride from Newcastle to Twickenham via all five of his former clubs to raise awareness around Motor Neurone Disease (MND) following his own diagnosis.

Some of the biggest names in rugby including Bath and former England hooker Lee Mears and Bath's former England lock Danny Grewcock joined the 48-year-old as he stopped off at Kingsholm in Gloucester before cycling on to Bath RFC.

Moody said he was a "little bit tired in general" but "the body in terms of MND diagnosis is coping well with the ride".

MND is a neurological condition which affects the brain and spinal cord, and can affect a person's ability to talk, walk and breathe.

Moody, who confirmed his own MND diagnosis last year, said "getting up every morning, getting on the bike and getting through it daily" has been a challenge but he has had support all the way.

"Each day we have a mix of different former players come and join us," he said.

"So we're always integrating new people into the group which is wonderful.

"[And] the fatigue and the weakness that I have in my right arm is not stopping me to do anything, so I feel very lucky in that sense."

Moody is hoping to reach Twickenham on Saturday to present the rugby ball for this year's PREM Grand final.

The fifth stage of the challenge saw Moody and what he describes as a "bonkers group of people" travel from Worcester to Bath RFC, with a visit to Gloucester Rugby along the way.

Former Gloucester and England scrum half Andy Gomersall said he was "very excited" about cycling to the home of Gloucester rugby.

"It was a great ride yesterday, really, really enjoyable - 74 miles (119km) flew by," he said.

"Today, I'm particularly personally very excited - to come back to Kingsholm."

Former England captain Martin Corry said the experience has been "tough" for him.

"I've had every emotion, both physically but also the emotional part of it as well," he said.

While Grewcock admitted he had had "minimal prep" ahead of the ride but that Moody was "in good spirits".

"I think he's enjoying it," he said.

"There's a great group around him that's pushing him on and he's pedalling fast."

Mears said he was "super proud" of Moody.

"For us, we just have to do the cycle and a few hellos," he said.

"But he's been non-stop fundraising - we're over £300,000 now and honestly he does not stop."

The Lewis Moody XV Challenge is raising money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which is funding research into a cure.

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