Doddie Weir was a Scotland international lock who became a prominent campaigner and fundraiser for motor neurone disease research after his 2016 diagnosis.
George Wilson "Doddie" Weir was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and began playing rugby at Stewart's Melville before moving to Melrose in the Scottish Borders, where he won six championships. Standing out for his unusually tall, gangly running style, memorably described by legendary commentator Bill McLaren as being "on the charge like a mad giraffe," Weir made his Scotland debut against Argentina in November 1990. Weir went on to earn 61 caps for Scotland as a lock, becoming a lineout specialist renowned as much for his good humour and popularity within the sport as for his playing ability. He was selected for the British and Irish Lions' 1997 tour of South Africa, though the trip was cut short by injury, and later played professionally for Newcastle Falcons, winning the English Premiership title in 1998, before returning home to Scotland's Border Reivers. In December 2016, Weir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and he devoted the remainder of his life to raising awareness and funding for research into the condition, establishing the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which has since raised millions of pounds. Scotland and Wales now compete annually for the Doddie Weir Cup in his honour. Weir was appointed OBE in 2019 for services to rugby, MND research, and the Borders community. He made an emotional final public appearance at Murrayfield before a Scotland-New Zealand match in November 2022, receiving a standing ovation from a 67,000-strong crowd, and died just weeks later, on 26 November 2022, at age 52.
Scotland lock, later MND campaigner and fundraiser
How They Played
Weir was an athletic lock forward with exceptional lineout skills and surprising ball-handling ability for a player of his size and era. His mobility around the field and willingness to run with the ball made him a dynamic forward who could contribute in both tight and loose play.
Lasting Impact
Weir's post-rugby campaign for motor neurone disease awareness and research has had profound impact beyond sport, raising millions for MND charities and significantly increasing public awareness of the condition.
Career Honours
- OBE
- founder of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Falcons | 1995–2005 | 134 | #4 |
| Melrose | 1988–1995 | — | — |
| Border Reivers | 2002–2007 | — | — |
 Scotland | — | 61 | — |