Sense to suit big day atlast arrives

DODDIE WEIR will sport a specially created tartan suit when he steps out as guest of honour in Wales.

It’s a departure from his usual colours – this is a mix of red and blue.

And until last night he’d have walked on to the Principality Stadium surface on Saturday amid a belief by many that one of our game’s heroes had been well and truly stitched up.

The former Scotland second-row has gone the extra yard to make the Doddie Weir Cup a special occasion when his country line up for an Autumn Test against Wales.

Only this clash, which bucks the trend of the usual three-game series at home, had the whiff of exploitation surrounding it.

The SRU and WRU had marketed a game in tandem with a good cause under the banner of a man whose battle continues against Motor Neurone Disease.

And so followed the social media outcry when it emerged neither body would be making a direct contribution to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation from gate receipts.

Both nations will pocket seven-figure sums for this clash and the allegation of a cynical approach towards shifting tickets appeared more than credible.

SRU and WRU releases had detailed how fans could donate to a great cause when buying tickets. But the silence over what amount, if any, they would be offering up had been deafening.

The fact the two saw sense last night – after the “rugby family”, like any other, delivered a few cold, hard truths – at least means something good will come of a PR shambles.

“The unions together have committed to donating a joint six-figure sum from the proceeds of the game,” said a joint statement.

Anything less would have left the SRU open to a suggestion of a marketing exploitation of one of their best and most loved figures.

After all, the outrage has been severely damaging while the fallout initially led Scottish Rugby to insist they have various initiatives in partnership with the foundation to raise awareness and funds, now and in future.

On the face of it, it just wasn’t good enough.

Fans had every right to believe they were buying briefs with a dual purpose of supporting the charity and enjoying a day out. The reaction from many was they’d been duped.

“We have listened to the feedback from the rugby family in relation to extending our support around the Autumn Test match in Cardiff and have partnered with the WRU in a commitment to guarantee the foundation receives a six-figure donation,” said a Scottish Rugby spokesman last night. “We are happy to provide a further level of support to Doddie and his foundation through this initiative and to mirror the generosity of fans.”

At least now this game, like Doddie, will be dressed up to suit the occasion.

At least now, like Doddie, the game will be dressed to suit the occasion