Jim Spence on Saturday

Sporting heroes subject to life’s vicissitudes.

When our sporting heroes are struck down in their prime, or in later life, it hits hard. The news that Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir has motor neurone disease has been felt keenly by all who appreciated his endeavours and competitiveness.

The 46-year-old was a giant in the dark blue of Scotland, winning 61 caps as well as appearing for the Lions.

It often seems to us that such men are invincible, yet they too are subject to life’s vicissitudes.

We admire their sporting prowess and skills from afar, often holding them up as supermen who live in different worlds.

When fate calls, though, they are like the rest of us: helpless in its icy grip.

In the football world we have seen a succession of men in the prime of life struck down with heart issues. Seemingly super-fit athletes, in top condition, have been suddenly robbed of life by undiagnosed medical conditions.

The sad passing of Dundee United star Frank Kopel, who suffered from dementia, still leaves a numb sensation for all who watched the gifted full-back elegantly strut his stuff at Tannadice.

Frank’s case is mirrored by Celtic legend, and Lisbon Lion, Billy McNeill.

I had the good fortune to work with the man nicknamed Caesar on radio on more than a few occasions.

He was a big man both in stature and in his great humility with others.

Now, the first British footballer to lift the European cup, and in his pomp a highly articulate man, struggles to communicate with his family.

Such great sportsmen entertain us and bring joy to our existence. It is desperately sad when the fates deal them such a miserable hand.

Different standards Northern Irish manager Michael O’Neill advised Aberdeen FC target Liam Boyce to sign for Burton Albion in the Championship, telling him it was a higher standard than the Scottish Premiership.

Sadly, he is probably right. There is certainly a lot more cash to be earned for players who can withstand the physical pressures in a league which resembles land of the giants.

It’s hard to see how Scottish football at top level can ever compete with even the lower English leagues with the money sloshing about there.

When a club like Aberdeen with a rich European history loses out to a town more famous for brewing than football, it’s a very sad day.

Hard work pays off Scotland’s defeat of Australia proves that the hard work which has gone into our pro rugby game is paying off.

To win away from home against the Wallabies is a massive achievement for a country with such a limited pool of players to choose from.

Last week’s result shows we are making great strides with the oval ball and gives us great hope for big things in the World Cup in 2019.

It proves that the sport can have a healthy future in Scotland.

By the time you read this, we’ll hopefully have beaten Fiji to make it three wins from three for coach, Gregor Townsend.

That would really show we’re making serious progress.