BORDERS rugby legend and charity campaigner Doddie Weir has gone to print.

The extraordinary, life-affirming autobiography of the 48-year-old, who was diagnosed almost two years ago with motor neurone disease, was published today.

Written with co-author Stewart Weir, who is a former head of sport at the Herald and Times Group, My Name’5 Doddie was launched at the home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield.

As truthful and immensely entertaining as the man himself, the biography is a humbling, courageous and extremely funny celebration of a remarkable life.

Known for his sportsmanship, infectious sense of humour and boundless energy, Bill McLaren’s famous description that Doddie was 'on the charge like a mad giraffe' sums up the charisma and prowess of a player who was irresistible to watch.

In his rugby career, the Stow farmer's son made the Scotland number 5 jersey his own.

Following his debut against Argentina in 1990, Doddie won 61 caps for his country, toured South Africa with the British & Irish Lions and was the first recipient of the Famous Grouse Scotland Player of the Five Nations award in 1997.

At club level, he played with distinction for Stewart’s Melville, Melrose, Newcastle Falcons and the Borders until he retired in 2005.

These days Doddie is facing an entirely different challenge.

In November 2017, 67,000 fans at Murrayfield stood in unison to support Doddie as he brought out the match ball for Scotland’s autumn international fixture with the All Blacks, with his three teenage sons at his side.

Since then Doddie has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for his charitable My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which provides money for MND research and makes grants available to MND sufferers to help them live as full a life as possible.

With chapters on his rise to professional Rugby, the inspiration of Stephen Hawking, 'Coming Out' with his diagnosis, family life, finding work after rugby and the creation of the foundation, there is something for everyone in My Name’5 Doddie, rugby fan or not.