EPCR Chairman, Dominic McKay, said: “It’s with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Scotland and rugby icon, Doddie Weir. Doddie was an outstanding player at every level of the game and an inspiring activist and leader in raising awareness of the fight to find a cure for MND.

“Throughout his battle with MND, Doddie faced his challenge with humility and humour in a way that was both humbling and inspiring. Everyone associated with the game will miss his infectious smile and positive outlook on life.

“We send our deepest condolences to Kathy, her sons and to the wider Weir family.”

Doddie was a dynamic player who made 61 appearances for Scotland between 1990 and 2000 and would surely have earned a test cap during the 1997 Lions tour of South Africa had it not been for injury.

After initially coming to prominence at Melrose, he later joined Newcastle Falcons - with whom he won a Premiership title in 1998 - when the game went professional before switching to the Border Reivers where he finished his career in 2004.

Since learning of his diagnosis in 2017, Doddie was an inspirational and tireless fundraiser on behalf of his foundation in the search for a cure for the devastating disease and EPCR partnered with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation during the 2018/19 season when Newcastle hosted the showpiece finals at St James’ Park

EPCR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Doddie Weir after the former Scotland and British &amp; Irish Lions forward lost his brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

EPCR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Doddie Weir after the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions forward lost his brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).