The Townsend verdict on call to ditch Flower of Scotland anthem
Gregor Townsend has explained why he doesn’t back a call from former Scotland coach Jim Telfer for Flower of Scotland to be ditched as the team’s national anthem. It was 1990 when the song was first used for rugby, firing up the Scots before they beat England in the famed winner-takes-all Grand Slam showdown at Twickenham.
That 13-7 win was secured against a backdrop of unrest in Scotland over the early introduction of the poll tax north of the border and members of the beaten English team have since claimed they were the victims of xenophobia that day.
The story of that rumbustious match has been now been retold at length in The Grduge, the 80-minute documentary that premiered last week on BT Sport ahead of the February 4 Twickenham showdown between the two countries in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
In the meantime, Telfer, who first spoke about wanting to bin Flower of Scotland a decade ago, recently reiterated his wish for the rugby team’s anthem – which recounts Scotland’s victory over ‘proud Edward’s’ army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 – to be shelved as he believes it is inappropriate in these modern times.
“Flower of Scotland is a great song in a way and it does get the hairs on your neck straightening and standing up, but because it’s against another country, I still don’t think it’s the ideal anthem,” he said in a Times interview.
"Hopefully, it entertains and makes people think, ‘Wow, what a great time to have played rugby’.”
– @JeremyGuscott with @heagneyl ??? ahead of this Friday's @btsportrugby premiere of The Grudge, the film on the 1990 Scotland vs England Grand Slam decider. https://t.co/lhHa1UtFi3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 15, 2023
“People sing that song, sing about the English, and it’s just in the moment. After the anthem has passed, we just get on with the game or whatever it is we’re doing. They use it at the Commonwealth Games and so on but I still don’t think it should be the national anthem. That’s still how I see it.”
Asked for his thoughts on the playing of Flower of Scotland just prior to his team kicking off in their Test rugby matches, current boss Townsend said: “I love it. It’s one of the unique occasions in sport, maybe more so at Murrayfield when the second verse is played without the accompaniment of music.
“Whenever I played a few places outside of Scotland and they always wanted to play Flower of Scotland, whether it was Australia or France, they loved the anthem so it means a lot to our supporters. They also seem to want to continue.”
New Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie added: “What else would we sing? I don’t know. For me, there is something really special about singing it at home. When the music cuts out the crowd feels it as well. I couldn’t think of going without it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments