Gregor Townsend pays tribute to 'inspirational' Doddie Weir
The Scotland head coach has spoken of the "huge legacy" former team-mate
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has spoken of the "huge legacy" former team-mate Doddie Weir will have following his death after a battle with motor neurone disease.
The Scottish Rugby Union announced on Saturday that Weir, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2016, had died at the age of 52.
The former Scotland lock set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a research charity aimed at finding a cure for the disease.
Townsend said in a statement from the SRU: "The news of Doddie's passing is incredibly sad for his family and the whole of Scottish Rugby but it's also a time to celebrate Doddie's life and what he's achieved, particularly over the last five years.
"His fight against MND and his fight to find a cure for the illness has been inspirational. I know it's inspired so many people around the country to raise a lot of money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation which has in turn brought together his friends as well as rugby clubs and communities across Scotland and further afield.
"Doddie will have a huge legacy as he's made such progress in finding a cure for MND and breakthroughs are already being made because of his determination."
Townsend said the moment when 61-cap Weir, who he described a "brilliant rugby player", presented the match ball when Scotland played New Zealand at Murrayfield earlier this month "touched everyone in the stadium", and added: "Our love and thoughts go to Doddie's family.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir
"We want to pay tribute to the big man who has made a huge difference and had a deep impact on the lives of so many over the last few years."
Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie said: "Yesterday's news was tough to take for so many people which proves how much of an inspiration Doddie Weir was.
"Doddie was so special to all of the Scotland players. The strength and courage he showed over the last five 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 and we would often hear stories about him off the field about how he was an incredible character and teammate, someone we all looked up to."
The Princess Royal, the patron of MND Scotland, said: "He was truly larger than life, determined, generous and humble. He transformed people's understanding of MND and funding for research."
Nicola Sturgeon led the tributes from Scotland's political sphere, describing the campaigner as "one of our nation's sporting legends", adding "the brave way he responded to MND surpassed anything ever achieved on the rugby pitch".
On Saturday, fellow MND sufferer and campaigner Rob Burrow, the former Leeds Rhinos player, tweeted: "So sad to hear the news of the passing of my mnd hero Doddie Weir.
"I'm sorry to say, how many more warriors die before this stupid government give the 50m they said they would give."
In November 2021, the Government committed at least £50 million to help find new therapies, and eventually a cure, for MND, a condition in which the brain and nerves progressively degenerate.
Earlier this month, Weir met with Burrow's former team-mate Kevin Sinfield at the start of his 'Ultra 7 in 7' challenge, when he ran seven 'ultra marathons' in as many days for MND-related causes.
And Sinfield said on Twitter: "Doddie was a giant as a player, but his campaigning following his MND diagnosis made him a colossus. I am honoured to have been able to call Doddie my friend."
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said of Weir: "His strength of character was unwavering, inspiring and moving. Quite simply, he was a remarkable man."
A look back at Doddie through the years
Doddie Weir is pictured at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at The P&J arena in Aberdeen in 2019.
Doddie Weir breathes a sigh of relief as he scores a try for Scotland in a Five Nations match against Ireland in 1997.
Doddie and his wife Kathy meet the Queen, and Duke of Buccleuch, during a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Captain Doddie Weir celebrates a victory at Newcastle Falcons.
Doddie turned out for the Barbarians in a friendly against Wales in 2002.
Doddie Weir and his family walk out with the Doddie Weir Cup ahead of the Wales v Scotland match in Cardiff in 2018.
Doddie is pictured with wife Kathy and their three sons (from left) Hamish, Ben and Angus, after receiving his OBE from the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.