The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Scotland captain on ‘inspiration’ Doddie
Dundee-born skipper’s last meeting with rugby legend as treasured as first
Scotland’s Dundee-born rugby captain has told how he will treasure his last meeting with the late Doddie Weir, but also his first.
Doddie, who died on Saturday aged just 52, presented Jamie Ritchie with the match ball before the New Zealand Test at Murrayfield a fortnight ago.
The ceremony before the All Blacks game was one of the most emotional experiences ever at Murrayfield, as both teams came to the tunnel to greet Doddie and the 67,000 crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Ritchie has now recalled the first time he met the British Lion, who was capped 61 times for Scotland, when he was a 15-yearold junior with his hometown club, Madras, in St Andrews.
“It was my first-ever rugby club dinner, at Madras,” he said. “I had just been called up to Scotland Under-16s and after his speech he invited me up on stage. He gave me a signed ball with a personal message on it. It’s something I’ve always treasured.
“Doddie was so special to all of the Scotland players.
“The strength and courage he showed over the last six years to keep fighting in the face of such a terrible diagnosis was an inspiration to everyone, not just the playing group.”
Scotland rugby captain Jamie Ritchie will always treasure his last meeting with the late Doddie Weir, but also his first.
Dundee-born Jamie was presented with the match ball by Doddie before the New Zealand test at BT Murrayfield two weeks ago.
After a six-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND), the much-loved British Lion, capped 61 times for Scotland, died at his home in the Borders on Saturday, aged just 52.
The ceremony before the All Blacks game was one of the most emotional experiences at Murrayfield, as both teams came to the tunnel to greet Doddie and the 67,000 crowd gave him a standing ovation.
But Ritchie also remembers his first meeting, when the now Scotland skipper was just a 15-year-old junior with Madras FP, in his home town of St Andrews.
“It was my first rugby club dinner, at Madras,” he said. “I had just been called up to Scotland Under-16s and after his speech he invited me up on stage.
“He gave me a signed ball with a personal message on it. It’s something I’ve always treasured.”
Doddie was “a special man” to all the Scotland players, he continued.
“Yesterday’s news was tough to take for so many people, which proves how much of an inspiration Doddie was,” he continued.
“Doddie was so special to all of the Scotland players. The strength and courage he showed over the last six years to keep fighting in the face of such a terrible diagnosis was an inspiration to everyone, not just the playing group.
“As well as his achievements on the pitch, his personality was so infectious.”
The ceremony two weeks ago was a special one for everyone at Murrayfield, he added. “The honour of receiving the match ball from him at the All Blacks match is a moment I will cherish forever,” he said. “The ovation he received was extremely fitting and demonstrated how much he was loved by our nation.”
Despite his condition, Doddie spent the last six years raising millions of pounds for MND research.
“Now more than ever it is important we continue the fight against MND and carry on his legacy,” said Jamie. “My love goes to Kathy, the boys and all of Doddie’s friends and family at this sad time.”
Gregor Townsend was a long-time friend of Doddie. Their playing careers ran parallel for the Borders, Scotland and the Lions.
He was an inspiration to all, said the Scotland head coach. “The news of Doddie’s passing is incredibly sad for his family and the whole of Scottish Rugby,” he said. “But it’s also a time to celebrate
Doddie’s life and what he’s achieved, particularly over the last few years.
“His fight against MND has been inspirational. I know it’s inspired so many people to raise a lot of money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
“That in turn brought together his friends as well as rugby clubs and communities across Scotland and further afield.
“It’s a sad time for us all. But it was great to see him receive the ovation and love he earned when he presented the match ball before our game against the All Blacks.
“It touched everyone. I know he means a lot to our players. On behalf of the Scotland team our love and thoughts go to Doddie’s family. We want to pay tribute to the big man who has made a huge difference. He had a deep impact on the lives of so many.”