SIX Nations rugby is a welcome distraction for Doddie Weir. And there’s no bigger game to focus on than Scotland and England.

The fierce rivals meet at Murrayfield today, and Weir, 61 times capped in the dark blue of Scotland, will be in attendance.

His playing days are long over and he is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

But there’s plenty of fight left in him as he gets on with life afflicted by the muscle wasting disease.

As he predicted a 21-18 home win, he said: “Scotland and England have been fighting in lots of different ways for many years, and it’s still like that. That’s how it means, because it goes back a mighty long time.

‘Scotland versus England is the oldest fixture in world rugby. It’s the most amazing tournament and the most amazing game.

‘England should be dominating, and they are at the moment. Scotland will need some luck. It is like David versus Goliath. Scotland only have two professional teams. But, collectively - a bit like the Newcastle Falcons - they are doing very well.’’

Weir played in plenty of Six Nations games with the Auld Enemy and he was at Twickenham last year as England romped to a 61-21 win.

In the Murrayfield cauldron, it will be a different story this afternoon.

“There should be anger from that,’’ he said. “There is always a positive spin though. I prefer the ‘you’ve let your family down, your team-mates down…’

“‘I definitely think Murrayfield has a fear factor at the moment. Maybe in previous years that wasn’t the case. But now that the team is winning there, the noise is electric. You could not get a ticket for the past six months for this game – but I’ve got one!

“Scotland don’t work well as favourites, so this will suit. They will need a bit of luck, perhaps a TMO mistake in their favour!’’

“The home crowd can make that small difference. They know they can do it there, although it’s a long time since we did against England. But history has to be made some time.

“Sometimes England players say things, perhaps an arrogance, about it not being intimidating, so that to me now is “Oooofff”. The coaches can use these little things to make a big difference.

“It’s like boxing. When you’re friends with your opponents, it’s hard to get that motivation. When you’re enemies, it’s brilliant.

“So comments like that, it gets the blood boiling even now. There could be some of that underneath on Saturday.

“England are a very strong side, but can they get rattled? Yes, of course they can. The dogged determination of the Scots, that spirit, that’s what we’ve got what others haven’t.’’

Weir, appreciative of the current game, was part of rugby during it’s transition to professionalism and the elite athletes playing today have a different outlook to his era.

Players are too cared for now he feels: “It has gone over-coached and over-analysed now. You wear GPS systems when you play, heart-rate monitors. Your food, your sleeping, everything is analysed. But does that coach you to be in the right place at the right time? I don’t think it does. And that is the point of rugby.’’

Diagnosed with MND last year, Weir is making the most of his time. He doesn’t know when the disease will take a firm hold of his body and until then, life is for living.

He admitted: “It’s great when it comes to Six Nations time because it takes me away from where I’m at. At the moment, most days are MND days, which is lovely. But it takes a lot out of you, constantly thinking about what is next. But Six Nations, I’m there for the rugby, I’m there as Dodgy Weir the fashion disaster, the big lump.’’