One of the bravest, funniest and kindest men to grace our game

The news that every Scottish rugby fan feared but hoped would be postponed as long as possible came through yesterday when it was announced that Doddie Weir had finally succumbed to MND. The whole rugby world will be mourning one of the bravest, funniest and kindest men to ever grace the game for some time to come.

Doddie was a man who had time for everyone and after a few minutes in his company, the world suddenly would look better, whatever the circumstances. Looking down on you from 6ft 7inches, his quick wit and razor-sharp sense of humour was just a joy.

He won his first cap in 1990, having toured New Zealand with Scotland as a 19-year-old. That was a tough tour, but one of only three in the history of New Zealand rugby where the touring side was undefeated in the games outside of the test matches. Doddie had a few handy men around him in the midweek side, but it was clear to see very early on that the Melrose man would have a long career in the Scottish jersey. Doddie was a great raconteur and storyteller – and more often than not, the stories would revolve around some of his own antics – many of which should rightly remain privy to those involved rather than shared too widely. He was a man who loved life and even when things weren’t going well, he could be relied upon to be the one to lift everyone’s spirits.

This resilience and love of life shone through in his own, darkest circumstances. Diagnosed with MND in 2016, he started and led a campaign to raise money to find a cure for the most horrible of conditions. He did so with such courage in the face of his own adversity and inspired so many to rally to his cause, there can be no doubt that this will be his most important legacy.

The moniker of “legend” is far too widely used in my view – but in Doddie’s case, there is no better way to describe the man who will be very sadly missed.