13 February 2023 , 13:34
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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend says Doddie Weir "would have been proud" as his country romped to a record Six Nations win over Wales on Saturday.
Townsend's side played their first international match at BT Murrayfield since Weir, 52, died in November following a public battle with Motor Neurone Disease. During his illness, he bravely worked to raise funds to help both find a cure and raise awareness of the disease.
The Doddie Weir Cup trophy was established in 2018 for matches between Scotland and Wales, and Saturday's game represented the first time the cup had been played in his absence. A team of high-profile cyclists, led by Weir's former team-mate and Scotland captain Rob Wainwright, delivered the match ball before kick off after a 555-mile charity ride in his memory.
And after the hosts ran in five tries in a 35-7 victory, his sons Hamish, Angus and Ben were on hand to present the trophy to Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie: “I’m sure he would have been proud,” Townsend told the media afterwards. “He used to message me before and after games.
“It was a big day for Cathy and the boys and for them to feel that love that everyone has for them. And for Doddie’s legacy to continue with the fundraising, today was a special day. It was brilliant that we were able to win for them.”
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A number of fans, including the Princess Royal, paid tribute to the former British and Irish Lions second row by wearing his trademark tartan. And Townsend added he could "picture him having a Guinness or a red wine sitting at home," after a Scottish victory.
Gregor Townsend paid tribute to Scotland legend Doddie Weir after the victory over Wales (PA)Skipper Ritchie was also emotional, adding: “It was the first game at BT Murrayfield without him, we miss him so much and I’m so glad we’ve got our hands on the trophy. We are so delighted, I’m a bit emotional, I’m glad I could do this for Kathy and the boys."
Scotland's display kept alive their hopes of paying further tribute to Weir, with a first Grand Slam since 1990 still on ahead of a trip to Paris to play France on February 25. And flanker Ritchie believes there is still room for improvement.
“We have the belief that if we play to our best, we can beat any team," he added. "It wasn’t perfect, we’ve got a lot more in us, so we are looking to improve when we go to Paris.”