Melrose to host fundraising match between Edinburgh A and Newcastle Red Bulls’ under-23s in memory of Borders rugby legend Doddie Weir

That match, for the Doddie’s Club Trophy previously contested by the now-defunct Southern Knights and the then Newcastle Falcons’ seniors, is to be played at the town’s Greenyards on Friday, December 11, with kick-off at 7.30pm, just over four years on from the 61-times-capped Scotland lock’s death at the age of 52 from motor neurone disease.

It’s part of host club Melrose’s 150th anniversary celebrations and will raise funds for Weir’s MND research and support charity, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

Edinburgh managing director Douglas Struth said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in this fixture and helping to raise money for such a brilliant cause.

“It’s a real privilege to play at the Greenyards, one of the most famous venues in world rugby, and to be part of Melrose’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

“We’re really looking forward to going head to head with our friends south of the border at Newcastle Red Bulls.

“Melrose is only a short trip for fans of both Edinburgh and Newcastle and we’d love to see supporters from both sides come along and pack out the Greenyards for what promises to be a great Friday night.”

Red Bulls’ sporting general manager, Jedburgh’s Neil McIlroy, is also looking forward to taking a team up to his native Borders, saying: “Doddie was a hugely respected figure in rugby and someone who holds a special place in Newcastle’s history.

“Having represented all of the clubs involved in this fixture, he leaves a lasting legacy across the game.

“It’s particularly special for us to be hosting this fixture in his name and helping continue the fantastic work of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring people together for a brilliant cause while also celebrating Melrose’s 150th anniversary.

“We’re looking forward to taking on Edinburgh, welcoming supporters from both sides of the border and putting on an entertaining evening of rugby at the Greenyards.”

Douglas Crawford, Melrose’s general manager, added: “To be hosting the Doddie Cup at the Greenyards in our 150th anniversary year is absolutely fantastic.

“Doddie meant the world to Melrose and his legacy remains at the heart of the club, so to be raising funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation on December 11 is great.

“Both Newcastle and Edinburgh have been brilliant to work with and I’m excited to see the two sides go head to head.

“I’m sure there will be some familiar faces in both sides, so it should be a cracking evening of rugby and a great night for all the family.”

The club trophy at stake next month celebrates the regard the late Weir is held in by fans of both the Arnold Clark Premiership’s Melrose and English Gallagher Prem Rugby’s Red Bulls, having played for the former from 1989 to 1995 and an earlier incarnation of the latter from 1995 to 2002.

That path from the Greenyards down the A68 to Gosforth’s Kingston Park is one that continues to be trodden to the present day, with two former Melrose players currently on the Tynesiders’ books, fly-half Jake Dalziel and back-row forward Allan Ferrie.

Entry to December 11’s game will be by payment on the gate on the night, with all proceeds going to the 2017-launched foundation, and the match will also be live-streamed on Red Bulls’ YouTube channel.

It’s part of an expanded fixture list for Edinburgh’s A team – featuring the likes of Peebles’ Ross Wolfenden and Rory McHaffie, Kelso’s Jack Utterson and Gala’s Nairn Moncrieff – with the development squad having already played Ealing Trailfinders, Leinster A, Harlequins Jesters and Leicester Tigers’ under-23s so far this season.