Scotland co-captain Rory Darge stopped by North Berwick Rugby Club yesterday to see four cyclists off on their charity cycle to Rome.

County trio Anthony Stodart and James Fisher, from North Berwick, and Chris Lockett, from Dunbar, have joined Mark Morriss, from Banchory, on a cycle from North Berwick to Rome ahead of Scotland’s Six Nations clash with Italy on Saturday (March 9).

The quartet, who are raising money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – which supports funding to combat motor neurone disease (MND) in memory of former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir, who passed away from MND – set off from the rugby club yesterday, with Darge in attendance to spur them on.

The team, named ‘Needing a Northerly’ in the hope of a northerly wind boosting their efforts, hope to complete the 1,650-mile cycle before the Italy game, and have raised more than £13,000 so far.

Donations can be made at the team's JustGiving page at: http://justgiving.com/page/needinganortherly