Wife's tribute to 'brave' ex-rugby player with MND

An amateur rugby player who recently took part in a fundraising run with Kevin Sinfield has lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), his wife said.

Scott Morris, who played for Bromsgrove Rugby Club in Worcestershire, was diagnosed with the condition when he was 43 in 2023, after noticing twitches in his arm.

Earlier this month, he joined ex-rugby league legend and England coach Sinfield on the second leg of his 230-mile (370km) Running Home for Christmas challenge.

Announcing his death, his wife, Natalie Morris, said: "He fought against this cruel illness with bravery and dignity and I am proud to have been able to call this wonderful man my husband."

Writing on Facebook, she said he passed away late on Monday.

She described him as "strong and kind" and said he was "missed more than words can describe".

MND is an incurable condition which affects the brain and nerves and is more common among people in their 60s and 70s.

Sinfield has been running in memory of his former teammate Rob Burrow, who had lived with MND since being diagnosed in late 2019, raising funds for six MND charities.

Mr Morris said at the time it was a "horrific condition" and he wanted to support the star because "it is so underfunded".