Scottish great reveals Alzheimer’s struggle to raise awareness

Gregor Townsend has offered his support to Roy Laidlaw after the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions scrum- half revealed he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The 67-year-old, pictured, has decided to speak out in a bid to encourage others suffering from memory loss to seek help.

He estimates he chalked up more than 500 games during a stellar career which spanned 17 years at his hometown club Je d - Forest and also saw him win 47 caps for Scotland and four for the Lions.

Laidlaw – uncle of exScotland skipper Greig Laidlaw – believes the blows to the head he suffered during his playing days contributed to his health troubles but refused to point the finger of blame at rugby chiefs.

Townsend has offered his backing to a man he admits was his boyhood hero. The Scotland head coach said: “He is a special person to a lot of people in Scottish rugby. He was my favourite player growing up. My mum is from Jed so I had a soft spot for a player coming through from Jed.

“He coached me as well. I remember he was excellent as a coach. I have great respect as a person for Roy as well and obviously we’re all thinking of him and supporting him at this time.”

Laidlaw opened up on his struggles with Alzheimer’s. He said: “I do think the head knocks contributed to me getting Alzheimer’s, no question, but it was my decision to play. Nobody forced me to play.

“If you got a head knock, you were given smelling salts and on you went.

“I was one of the smallest players but I had a big hear t and was diving in at folk in the tackle. That clearly didn’t help and I think the concussions I had would have been a factor in getting Alzheimer’s.

“I’m sure some folk in their early 60s – like I was when it began to affect me – would put their memory loss down to growing old and dismiss it. I was like that. I kept putting off going to the doctor. I never thought I would get Alzheimer’s. Well, I am living proof anybody can get it.”