Lions hero faces battle with cancer

FORMER Scotland captain Tom Smith is determined to tackle his fight against cancer head on.

The 48-year-old prop forward – who won 61 international caps between 1997 and 2005 as well as touring with the British and Irish Lions – has been diagnosed with stage four cancer of the colon.

Smith has received intensive rounds of chemotherapy and is also undergoing radiotherapy after the cancer spread to his liver and brain.

“I was in my hospital bed and I said to staff, ‘I’m determined to fight this,’” Smith said on the Scottish Rugby Union website.

Smith, pictured, who played for the Caledonian Reds, Glasgow Caledonians, Brive and Northampton, now lives in the south of France.

In an interview with the BBC, the former Scotland international recalled how earlier this year continued pain in his abdomen eventually led to him seeking medical help, following weight loss, lack of sleep and passing blood.

“I played rugby for 15 years professionally. Aches and pains are part of the deal as you get older. I think I wrote it off until it got to the point that I needed to do something,” Smith said in a BBC Sounds special podcast.

“I try to get on with things and that’s probably my downfall.

“Life has changed very quickly. I want to do the right thing for my family; this all leaves you a bit exposed.

“I’m lucky enough to have a good group of friends and a strong community helping and supporting.”

A reunion lunch of Scotland’s 1999 Five Nations Championship winning team, in which Smith played, is set to be held in Edinburgh during December.

The event will help raise funds for the former Scotland captain and his family, wife Zoe and three children, aged 18, 17 and nine.