CHRIS HEWETT

Reflecting on the rugby life and times of dear Doddie Weir in last week’s paper, Brendan Gallagher made reference to his arrival at Newcastle as the newly professionalised Tynesiders were piecing together a Premiership-winning side under the accomplished stewardship of Rob Andrew. Therein lays an amusing tale.
Keen to take advantage of his club’s proximity to the Scottish border country and its supply of top-grade talent, Rob targeted both Weir and his fellow international, the scrum-half Gary Armstrong. He recalled the circumstances during an interview with your columnist for...