Brian Moore leads the tributes to former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir after his death aged 52

‘An outstanding man in every sense’: Brian Moore leads the tributes to former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir after his death aged 52 following battle with MND as his former club Newcastle Falcons express their ‘desperate sadness’

• Social media has paid tribute to former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir
• Weir died, aged 52, following his battle with MND and tributes have flooded in
• Weir’s former club, Newcastle Falcons, have expressed their ‘desperate sadness’ 
• Brian Moore, Kelly Brown and Nicola Sturgeon have also tweeted condolences

By Thomas Schlachter For Mailonline

Social media has paid tribute to former Scotland rugby union player Doddie Weir following his death aged 52.

Among those leading the tributes is former England rugby player Brian Moore. 

Moore said: ‘Very sorry to hear about the death of Doddie Weir. An outstanding man in every sense and one who will be sorely missed. RIP Big Man.’

Former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir has died aged 52 following his battle with MND

‘An outstanding man in every sense’: Brian Moore took to Twitter to pay tribute to Weir

Weir’s former club Newcastle Falcons also took to social media to pay tribute to the former Scotland second-row. 

Newcastle Falcons said: ‘It is with desperate sadness that Newcastle Falcons has learned of the passing of our former player and lifetime friend, Doddie Weir OBE. Rest in peace, Doddie.’ 

The club also tweeted a picture of Weir holding up a Newcastle Falcons shirt with his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation logo on the front of the kit. 

Newcastle Falcons expressed their ‘desperate sadness’ upon learning of Weir’s death

Many other notable individuals have also taken to social media to share their tributes to Weir. 

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, tweeted: ‘This is so terribly sad. Doddie was one of our nation’s sporting legends, but the brave way he responded to MND surpassed anything ever achieved on the rugby pitch.’

Sturgeon continued: ‘He refused to let it dim his spirit and did so much to help others. My condolences to his loved ones. #RIPDoddie.’

Weir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2016 and has been helping raise awareness for MND ever since. 

Former Celtic and Welsh international footballer John Hartson also tweeted: ‘RIP Doddie Weir .. fought till the end! Raised so much awareness for MND .. thoughts are with the Weir family at this sad time.’

‘Doddie was one of our nation’s sporting legends’: said First Minister of Scotland Sturgeon 

 ‘Raised so much awareness for MND’: John Hartson took to Twitter to pay tribute to Weir

Following his death, Scottish Rugby released a statement from the Weir family, written by his wife Kathy.

In the statement Kathy described her husband as ‘an inspirational force of nature.’

Kathy continued: ‘His unending energy and drive, and his strength of character powered him through his rugby and business careers and, we believe, enabled him to fight the effects of MND (Motor Neurone Disease) for so many years.

‘Doddie put the same energy and even more love and fun into our lives together: he was a true family man. Whether working together on the farm, on holiday, or celebrating occasions with wider family and friends, Doddie was always in the thick of it.’

‘An inspirational force of nature’: Scottish Rugby released a statement from Weir’s wife Kathy

Former Scotland captain Kelly Brown referred to Weir as ‘a giant of a man on and off the pitch’, before saying that ‘everybody loves Doddie Weir.’

Rugby league side Leeds Rhinos also said: ‘It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of Rugby Union star and MND campaigner Doddie Weir OBE.

‘Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this extremely sad time, rest in peace Doddie.’

‘A giant of a man on and off the pitch’: Ex-Scotland captain Kelly Brown paid tribute to Weir

Rugby league side Leeds Rhinos also paid tribute to Weir on social media following his death

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