IT’S a dank, wet day, dreich as they say in Scotland, and the outlook is grey and hugely uncertain, but he’s still possessing a smile as wide as the Forth Road Bridge.

Doddie Weir, the giant former Scotland and Newcastle Falcons forward is sitting in the Milburn Stand at St James’ Park, Newcastle.

There’s jokes about his life, the debilitating situation he finds himself in today. He gets fired up with passion when Scotland against England is raised. He’s wearing black and white checked trousers, a Tartan tribute to Tyneside, his second home.

Once described by BBC commentator Bill McLaren as a ‘runaway giraffe’, he’s perched in the seat which another North-East hero spent time after his sporting career came to an end.

The name engraved on the seat plaque is of Sir Bobby Robson, Newcastle United and England legend.

Sir Bobby fought cancer with dignity and pride. Doddie Weir, 47, is battling Motor Neurone Disease head on.

“I’ve been lucky as it’s been 14 months since I was diagnosed – a lot of parties, a lot of drinking,’’ he smiled.

Weir accepts he is on borrowed time, but determined to make the most of everything. He’s at St James’ because Newcastle Falcons are playing Northampton Saints there on March 24, and will wear special shirts donning his charity’s name.

Demand for shirts has been phenomenal, extra orders placed; there’s a lot of Falcons’ love for big man who helped them win the Premiership in 1998.

“It’s very exciting without a shadow of doubt. The World Cup here at St James’ Park was a great spectacle of rugby,’’ he mused.

“It’s so humbling, so difficult to explain what Falcons are doing and for me to take it all in – here I am big ears, a fashion disaster from Blainslie in Scotland. For this to happen is just …

“There might be a special black and white suit for the game, I’ve a new Tartan, Doddie’s Tartan – it’s blue for Scotland, yellow and black for Melrose and more important black and white for the Toon Army, so it may be a big idea to get a special one for the day.’’

Last year, shortly after his diagnosis, Weir was invited to take the match ball onto the field as Scotland faced the All Blacks. There wasn’t a dry eye in the packed house.

He admitted: “It was truly emotional. But listen, I’ve said before I’m doing the easy bit, I’m just not very well. I’m being who I am and the support behind it all has been astonishing.

“The Scottish Rugby Union were brilliant in allowing it to happen, the last time was when Chris Hoy won his gold medals at the Olympics. For someone to come up with the idea for me, the reason behind it is appreciated.

“Within the wider rugby family it’s difficult to explain, people stopping me in the street saying ‘go on big man, well done’.

“I think the fight and reaction is because of the disease, it’s muscle wasting, but it’s about raising awareness of it.

“Your whole body shuts down and you can’t walk, talk, eat sleep and there’s no cure for it. Finding a solution? There’s not one out there. One drug 22 years ago and that’s all, there’s been no clinical trials and they just don’t have real help. Once you have it, you don’t know your timetable.’’

My Name’5 Doddie is the foundation aspect of Weir’s fight. He’s had plenty of support from across the rugby family and beyond. It took a lot to knock the 6ft 6in lock sideways on the field, not even a punch from Martin Johnson, but the reaction has taken him aback.

Over £250,000 was raised at a recent charity ball and the aim is to raise awareness of the disease, the same one which affected former Middlesbrough defender Willie Maddren, and hopefully find a cure.

“Ideally I would love to be here and enjoy the journey to find a solution, that’s my goal,’’ he admitted. “We do, as part of the foundation, help people who need equipment and assistance. My name’s Doddie Foundation has sanctioned a worldwide review of MND.

“Lots of people ask where we are going; we don’t know. They say come with me, but where? We decided the best business model is for an independent survey, see where we are and then we have answers.

“We all want a solution and a stoppage, brilliant – but progress would be a help.’’

Weir is a farmer by trade who continues to live and work on his farm in the Scottish Borders. There’s over 300 acres, 130 sheep and 15 cows.

Day to day life is affected by MND. It’s the simple things which are taken for granted which prove the hardest to deal with.

He admitted: “The struggles in some ways can be addressed. My hands, and holding a pint is tough. The grip isn’t too bad, but I struggle with buttons, I can still do a tie which is great for me and my Tartan suits.

“Pulling my hands down to do a collar, doing my trousers up is difficult. With a pint, I tuck in my elbow and balance it, take a few early gulps to make sure it’s not so heavy!

“But I see a lovely chiropractor who puts me right each week and he says if you don’t use it then you lose it with MND.

“He pulls me together physically and brings me together with statements to help my mind. For example, I went shooting the other day something I’ve always done, and just used a lighter rifle than I usually would. MND won’t stop me doing things – I drive, make cups of tea.

“The position we are in I’ve had a few emails and messages, someone was diagnosed in September and died in December, aged 38. Everyone is different and with that you think you are in a bad place, but then you pick up and realise it’s not quite so bad.’’

Life is, as they say, for living. It’s certainly true for Weir: “I went to New Zealand last year, I want to make the most of the time I’ve got. I was diagnosed in December 2016 and I didn’t know my timetable if I would be here now or in a wheelchair.

“One of the life goals was to take the kids to a Lions’ tour and the next one would be South Africa in four years’ time – South Africa was the tour I was part of as a player, but that may not be possible now.

“So we jumped to New Zealand and it was amazing. We went to Twickenham to watch Scotland play England and the game there wasn’t that clever as a Scot, but the occasion and time was good.

“I’m lucky it’s been 14 months of preparing what comes next…..’’