Rugby ace has brain disease

FORMER Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir has revealed that he is battling motor neurone disease.

Doddie, 46, said he decided to announce his illness to raise awareness of the condition.

He is now joining forces with researchers at the University of Edinburgh to help tackle the condition, which occurs when nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord stop functioning.

Edinburgh-born forward Weir ( above) won 61 caps for Scotland and was part of the squad which won the 1999 Five Nations title.