Serving up Support for the Six Nations

The Six Nations get underway tonight as France host Ireland in Marseille as the world’s greatest egg chasing competition gets underway.

Now aside from pretending you’ve heard of one of the several uncapped players making their bows this weekend, it also throws up an interesting challenge, who should the Manx support?

Last year Andy tried to resolve this by suggesting Italy based on the strength of their national anthem, however this year we’re going for something different, as Sam looks to pick a team based entirely on his opinion of local foods.

We had to be harsh here and insist that he only picks food that he likes, which is how we got to this:

Sixth – France

I like a croissant as much as the next man, as long as that man isn’t Andy who weirdly doesn’t like them. But sadly, they’re a bit fiddly, they’re just a mess making monstrosity. There is no doubt that they’re tasty, but they’re just too much of a hassle to be higher up the list. Plus I wanted to put France last because unlike some I haven’t forgotten the reason we pay income tax was originally to pay for a war with Napoleon, need I say more.

Fifth – Scotland

Scotch pies are just fine, they come in a range, much like any other pie, but they’re nothing spectacular. Admittedly I could have chosen haggis, but I don’t like it so I couldn’t. Equally I could have chosen deep fried Mars bars, but I didn’t want to offend anyone. Scottish fans can however rest easy, they still have what I see to be the best national anthem.

Fourth – England

I don’t like cod, which ruled out fish and chips, beef is often over or under cooked and when I googled the national dish of England, chicken tikka masala came out on top, apparently. A fine, if ordinary curry, but lacking the flavour of a rogan josh or the heat of a Madras (I don’t eat vindaloo, I’m too much of a wuss for that). Sadly, while it is the team I’ll be backing, I can’t endorse this sort of behaviour on the European stage.

Third – Ireland

I know they’re likely to win, but sorry Ireland, you’ve got too much going for you right now. I love a good stew and the Irish make tremendous ones. I know it’s gone very cosmopolitan, but you can’t beat some good honest food.  Sadly though, I have to disappoint Andy and put Ireland low down this list because it’s a country with somewhat popular and coherent leadership, a country loved around the world and a country with Cillian Murphy. 

Second – Wales

Apparently the welsh national dish is Cawl, a  hearty stew of lamb and seasonal vegetables. Sadly, despite newspaper editor Dion insisting this is a real thing, I have my doubts, therefore I chose the lamb bit and tossed out the vegetates. I love lamb, it is the best meat, it can go in curry, be served on the bone, off the bone, as part of something, it’s just the best. Plus, other than Manx loaghtan, Welsh lamb is the best, I don’t know what they do there, but it just produces a higher quality meat.

First – Italy

I had to pick one dish to represent the greatest food nation on earth (TexMex doesn’t count) as such I have decided that the only patriotic thing a Manx person can do during this Six Nations is pick up a bottle of Peroni (or nice wine), plonk yourself down in front of the TV and enjoy a Bolognese. Whether you cheat and have a Dolmio day, or make it your way, bolognese is the ultimate dish for any occasion, so dig in, sing Il Canto degli Italiani and cheer on the gli Azzurri.

For everyone

In all seriousness, just enjoy the Six Nations, it is a great competition and brings together all these cultures into a melting pot of great competition, plus we all know that for a good number of people on this island, it doesn’t matter who wins, for most it’s just about hoping England lose.