RUGBY'S DEADLY LEGACY

Players at higher risk of conditions such as dementia and MND, says Scottish study

MOTOR neurone disease is 15 times more likely to affect former rugby players like Doddie Weir than the rest of the general population, a study reveals.

And former Scotland stars also face twice the risk of getting dementia and three times the danger of contracting Parkinson's.

Research by scientists at Glasgow University found neurodegenerative illnesses such as dementia and motor neurone disease (MND) are a huge issue among rugby players compared to others, with risk varying by condition.

Experts believe strategies to cut the number of head impacts and injuries in all sports are needed, including in training.

The Glasgow University findings are based on studies of 412 former Scotland rugby internationalists aged at least 30 by the end of 2020.

They were matched for age, sex and socio-economic status with 1236 members of the public.