Melrose legend Doddie Weir inducted into Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame

Doddie Weir made 61 Scotland international appearances between 1990 and 2000 (Pic by Neil Hanna)

The 61-times capped Scotland international, a British and Irish Lion on their victorious 1997 tour to South Africa, enjoyed a stellar career with Melrose and Newcastle Falcons, winning domestic league titles with both clubs, displaying a larger-than-life personality and no less ability over the course of his playing career.

A well-documented battle with motor neurone disease, which he confirmed in the summer of 2017, has generated tireless work to both raise money for vital research and increase awareness of the condition and its impact on sufferers and their families.

Since its inception in November 2017, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has raised over £5.8M and distributed funds to both MND research and awarded funding to people with the condition to help improve their quality of life.

Doddie’s plan, so typical of the man, was for a large 50th birthday party but with the COVID-19 restrictions in place and Doddie himself being part of the ‘shielded’ group to further protect him from the virus, this won’t be possible.

Scottish Rugby is therefore marking his birthday by inducting the former second-row into its Hall of Fame, which was founded in 2010 and contains some of the country’s greatest-ever rugby luminaries, including Gavin Hastings, Chris Paterson and Sir Ian McGeechan to name a few.

On hearing of his award, Doddie said: “I am truly honoured to be inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame. I owe so much to the game of rugby, and to our great rugby family in particular.

“The support I received from players and supporters throughout my playing career and now in my current battle to find a cure for MND has been immense, and has given me the strength to keep fighting.

“Thank you so much for honouring me with this award - and on my 50th birthday too! What a great present!”

John Jeffrey, who has recently been appointed interim chairman of Scottish Rugby, said: “Doddie is known to rugby fans all over the world for his incredible efforts to raise awareness for MND and continuing to entertain people in the face of adversity.”