The Welsh Rugby Union and Scottish Rugby say they will “donate directly” to Doddie Weir’s motor neurone disease charity after the autumn Test series opener between Wales and Scotland on Saturday.
Both organisations have committed to donating a joint six-figure sum from proceeds of the Principality Stadium match to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the WRU and Scottish Rugby said in a joint statement.
The WRU decides distribution of gate receipts from the game – estimates put that at £3m – while it is understood the SRU will receive a seven-figure sum for Scotland taking part.
Both unions were criticised on social media and by former players over the weekend for not contributing to the foundation directly from those pots. The former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies was among those to voice concern, calling on the WRU to donate a percentage of ticket money to the charity.
The game launches this season’s autumn Test series for both countries, with the Doddie Weir Cup at stake. It will be attended by the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions lock Weir, who announced last year that he has MND.
In addition the Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend, and the Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards will be among guests at a fundraising dinner this week, while a matchday bucket collection is also planned in Cardiff.
“The Welsh Rugby Union and Scottish Rugby today confirmed they will donate directly to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation after this weekend’s match between the two nations,” the statement read.
“The unions together have committed to donating a joint six-figure sum from the proceeds of the game, with the associated visibility for the fight against motor neurone disease also providing an invaluable contribution.”
A WRU spokesperson said: “We have listened to supporters and, while our initial motivation in supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was to help raise awareness for the fight against MND and the foundations’ fundraising campaign, we have decided to make a direct donation.”
The news was welcomed by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation trustees chairman, Scott Hastings. “We would like to thank the Welsh Rugby Union and Scottish Rugby for this significant and very welcome decision, which will add even more to the financial benefits we are grateful to be receiving from this weekend,” Hastings said.