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U-turn over MND rugby match donation

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Rugby bosses have announced that they will donate funds from the Doddie Weir cup to the former Scotland star's MND charity

Rugby bosses have announced they will donate funds from a match in honour of Doddie Weir to charity.

The Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions faced criticism after it was revealed that none of the estimated £1m proceeds from the Doddie Weir Cup would be handed to the former rugby star’s My Name’5 Doddie foundation.

Instead of handing over a donation, the SRU and WRU insisted the fixture will highlight the cause of his charity to millions of TV viewers. However on Monday evening (29 October), rugby bosses announced that they will hand a six-figure donation to the charity, which aims to boost research into Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

The unions had faced criticism from former international players for failing to guarantee a donation to the charity.

"The unions together have committed to donating a joint six-figure sum from the proceeds of the game," they said in a joint statement.

A Scottish Rugby spokesman said: "We have listened to the feedback from the rugby family in relation to extending our support around the autumn test match in Cardiff and have partnered with the WRU in a commitment to guarantee the foundation receives a six-figure donation. We are happy to provide a further level of support to Doddie and his foundation through this initiative and to mirror the generosity of fans."

A spokesperson for the WRU added: "We have listened to supporters and, whilst our initial motivation in supporting the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation was to help raise awareness for the fight against MND and the foundation's fundraising campaign, we have decided to make a direct donation."

Weir has MND and has raised more than £500,000 through his foundation – carrying his famous number five in its name - which aims to find a cure for the condition.

The first Doddie Weir Cup takes place on Saturday in Cardiff, with 74,000 fans set to attend the match.