The Doddie Weir Cup - A Farce You Couldn't Write

Despite the fact that it interrupts Club and European Rugby so much. Despite the fact that we wince and fear injuries to our top stars, the Autumn Internationals are always eagerly anticipated.  I know for one that there is nothing like a full blown match screaming for your country.  The visit of the Southern Hemisphere teams and the chance to get one over on them is so exciting too.

So when the fixtures were announced and I saw Wales v Scotland it was more like, "Whaaaaat?". What was the point of an early 6 Nations encounter? Sounded like more like a soft fixture to generate some cash.  But then it was changed to honour a great player, huge ambassador for the game and a man who despite suffering from Motor Neurone Disease continues to selflessly campaign and raise money for his charity the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.

As you know at Tackle and Ruck we are proud to support Doddie's charity and £1 of everything you buy goes to that great cause.

But what then? The great powers that be of the Scottish and Wales Rugby Unions tell us that, despite naming it the Doddie Weir Cup and increasing ticket sales on the assumed belief by fans that part of the ticket sales were going to My Name'5 Doddie Foundation , they would be giving NOTHING and slap themselves on the back that they were raising awareness.  How laudable.  Of course this is from the same Welsh Union that recently announced profits of over £95 million!  I hope who ever got together for this one is now collecting their P45's.

But unlike a lot of sports the Rugby Union family is not quite as stupid as that.  I think they totally underestimated the response they would get.  A completely united front from fans, players and also the media created a wonderful irresistible storm.  Social media was on fire and now, under pressure, Wales and Scotland have back pedaled and said they would donate a 6 figure sum.  Why they can't just say how much is beyond me but let's be thankful sense did prevail, although I would guess it's 6 figures between them rather than each.

Scottish T-Shirts, Hoodies and Mugs

The question remains though why did they do such a stupid thing in the first place?  Just to try sell more tickets and pocket the money? After all with 4 internationals at around £75 at ticket at the Millennium Stadium fans are going to pick and choose.  If it's a choice between Australia, South Africa, Tonga and Scotland which matches would you choose?  Exactly the Scotland match would come right down the list.  But if they had said it's the Doddie Weir Cup and we are donating say £5 from every ticket to the Foundation they would have probably got even more sales.

I am just thankful to be a part of a sport with such great fans, that pull together when they need to whatever country or club they support. But the guys at the top need to wake up a bit or we are going to end up like football with money ruling and fans completely priced out and ignored.  I hope that doesn't happen.

Anyway that's my little rant out of the way.  I hope all the AI's are great games and the Home Nations get a clean sweep (I am an optimist).  If you want to support My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and help the 'Mad Giraffe' raise more money and support your country at the same time, drop by our store. Everything sold gives £1 to Doddie.  It's our little way of giving back.
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