6 Nations Rugby Tournament

**McClef** · 10th February 08, 04:52 AM

In this tournament there are 3 "Brit" teams - did you mean one of them or all of them?

**Phil** · 10th February 08, 05:03 AM

I think he meant England - common mistake as you will know only too well. For the sake of others equally confused our present setup here is the United Kingdom of Great Britain (Brits) and Northern Ireland, hence UK on our passports. England, Wales and Scotland make up Britain, Northern Ireland doesn't and the Irish Republic (south) is a completely independant and separate country. To add to the confusion they also include some Northern Irish players from time to time. Most foreigners when they refer to England really mean the British Isles and most English people when referring to Britain and the British are really only referring to themselves. Confusing isn't it?

**beowulf67** · 10th February 08, 05:54 PM

I've been trying to follow it. Didn't get to see any on Saturday though. I pretty much pull for all the teams where my family came from-Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England.

Today I've been watching the 7's from San Diego. Wish I could have gone to that! I've been looking for kilts in the crowd shots but haven't seen any yet.

**Phil** · 11th February 08, 01:00 AM

I was giving that verse as a possible reason why virtually no-one in Scotland sings the "National" anthem. As a schoolboy in Wales for a few years I myself found it a little strange when returning to Scotland that at times like the end of cinema performances when the anthem was played, instead of standing everyone made a mad scramble for the exit. I don't know if people still stand for the anthem in Wales but this was over 40 years ago and it is many years since I have heard it played anywhere other than on TV.
I can't say I find "Flower of Scotland" a particularly apposite anthem and would much prefer something like "The man's a man for a that" which reflects more closely the Scottish attitude to those who seek to set themselves above others by a mere accident of birth.
Any English flags flying in Scotland would no doubt belong to English people who had moved here. I have to admit feelings of antipathy to see such a thing in my country although I would never contemplate the sort of action taken by others to remove them and damage property.

**McClef** · 11th February 08, 02:28 AM

The days are long gone when they played the anthem in cinemas Phil but I remember when it was that many made that famous mad scramble for the exit!

Theses days at events in Wales - such as our choir concerts for example, we start with God Save the Queen and end with Hen Wlad Fy'n Hadau. At rugby internationals it's purely the latter.

In July 2006, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted an online poll (publicised by Reporting Scotland) in which voters could choose a national anthem from one of five candidates. 10,000 people took part in the poll in which Flower of Scotland came out a clear winner. The results were as follows:

Flower of Scotland 41%
Scotland the Brave 29%
Highland Cathedral 16%
A Man's a Man for A' That 7%
Scots Wha Hae 7%

And in both Scotland and Wales you see many Union Jacks flying alongside the National flags - Wales isn't even represented on the Union Jack whereas Scotland is.

**Phil** · 11th February 08, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

And in both Scotland and Wales you see many Union Jacks flying alongside the National flags - Wales isn't even represented on the Union Jack whereas Scotland is.

Yes, Flower of Scotland has definitely come out top, probably because of the rugby. I even saw Princess Ann singing it at one game - wonder what mummy thought of that?
Does it not bother you that Wales isn't represented on the flag? Mind you the Saltire is becoming more prevalent here now, more and more than the Union flag.