Who to Support This Six Nations

Rugby’s Six Nations start today and, with no Manx team involved, it got us thinking at Gef – who should we support?

There are compelling arguments to throw the island’s collective backing behind each of the combatants, from Celtic links to former Buchan pupils potentially packing down in the front row (more on that later).

After little discussion in Gef HQ, however, we decided the fairest way to pick one was to rate their respective national anthems (bear with me).

One of the things that makes the Six Nations so special is the sight of 40 plus behamouths belting out their respective anthems with pride prior to kick-off. None of your solemn gum-chewing from these guys. Sure their musical talents may be questionable, but they belt it out with all the pride and volume of a Albert karaoke regular.

England

It’s a new coach, Steve Borthwick, and a new anthem ‘God Save the King’ for this year’s tournament. England finished third last year. Middle of the road, much like their anthem. Terrace favourites ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ are bangers, but it’s the anthems we’re concerned with and that’s why it places England sixth in our poll despite former Buchan pupil Bevan Rodd being among Borthwick’s initial training squad.

Wales

A nation of choir singers has got to have a good anthem? You’d be right, but it’s not quite as good as you’d expect (think Westlife’s difficult second album). Don’t get me wrong, on its day (a bit like the side itself) Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers) is a world-beater, but it struggles to get out of second gear despite its rousing finish. Fifth in our table.

Scotland

Flower of Scotland. A classic. With ‘sh*thousery’ becoming an increasingly common term in modern sport this is arguably the earliest exponent of it. One minute of 40 of winding up the auld enemy, England. The audience of participation at Murrayfield makes the hairs stand up on your neck at times, but much like the Welsh theme the pace of the anthem, like the country’s bid for independence can be described as pedestrian at best. Plus it has a lot of bagpipes. Fourth overall.

Ireland

The only nation to have two anthems in the shape of Ireland’s Call and Amhrán na bhFiann (Soldier’s Song). The former is great. Easy to pick up, essentially only two lines ‘Ireland, Ireland’ and ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’, which makes it easy to remember after several pints of Guinness. The latter isn’t bad, but it’s simply not as good as its stable-mate (think Phil and Gary Neville).  The world number one’s are thIrd in our poll.

Italy

In many respects the minnows and still classed as the rookies even though they joined the competition 23 years ago now.  The perennial wooden spoon winners, however, have an absolute triumph of an anthem. Il Canto degli Italiani gets your attention from the off with a flurry of horns and drums, that can’t fail to grab you by the meatballs. Similarly to the French anthem the lyrics are soaked in patriotism.  Our campioni.