Ben Foden: England v Ireland Legends game “means more” amid Lewis Moody’s battle with MND

Northampton Saints Premiership winner Ben Foden says this year’s Legends charity match carries added weight following Lewis Moody’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease.

The annual England v Ireland fixture regularly reunites former internationals, but Foden says the focus this time is firmly on raising money for Moody’s MND Foundation.

Former England flanker Lewis Moody was diagnosed with MND last year, and the match aims to raise funds and awareness for his foundation.

Foden said: “Any excuse to pretend you’re playing for England again is nice, but this one means more because of what it’s for.

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A no-brainer

“Lewis was an outstanding bloke and one of the toughest players you’d ever meet, but off the field he always had time for people.”

He added that supporting the foundation gave players an immediate reason to get involved.

The former Northampton Saints player said: “If dusting off the old boots helps raise money and awareness, it’s a no-brainer.”

Despite the competitive edge never fully disappearing, Foden admits the physical reality of a Legends match is very different from professional rugby.

Foden said: “The mind is willing, the body is not, and you realise pretty quickly the team looks stronger on paper than it does on the pitch.

“You want to win, but you also want to put on a show and enjoy it.”

Special

One of the main appeals for Foden is the chance to share the field again with former teammates and familiar rivals from across his career, many of whom he has not played alongside for years.

He said: “Getting out there again with the Armitage brothers, Lee Dickson, and seeing Alex Waller having a run out, that’s what really makes it special.”

That sense of familiarity does not mean the competitive edge disappears entirely, even if the realities of age quickly become apparent.

The fixture still retains bite largely because of the approach taken by the Irish side, who traditionally commit fully to the occasion rather than treating it as a novelty.

Foden said: “The Irish boys really buy into it and always bring a strong side, so it’s never just a kick-about.”

Express

That balance between competition and enjoyment is what allows players to express themselves more freely than they could during their professional careers.

The contrast with his playing days is most obvious once the final whistle goes, when recovery and preparation are replaced by conversation and reflection.

Foden said: “When you’re playing professionally, you expect to wake up covered in bruises, but this one usually finishes with a beer and a proper catch-up.”

For Foden, it is that mix of rivalry, familiarity and shared purpose that gives the Legends match its enduring appeal.

He added: “It reminds you that rugby is about the people, the connections, and using the game to give something back.”

Written by Amelie Claydon

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