Call it a tribal rivalry, I just can't support England in any sport. A lot of it comes down to arrogance from some England fans that their team is better than others. Read the comments laughing at Wales, and saying how easy it will be for them against South Africa on the BBC Sport website, and you'll see that.
Rugby World Cup
- Thread starter wacko
- Start date
SteveS1
I heard that, pardon?
Come off it. You mean we never hear how good Wales are at rugby? England are currently playing great rugby. Are their fans not allowed to enjoy it?
Sound like you need another chip for the other shoulder. I'd have supported any of the Six Nations teams against any SH side. No hesitation.
Whaleblue
Southbound
hope you could afford it?
Being right that 3:1 was way off is unfortunately little consolation!
Rockmeister
pfm Member
For me, it's always been 'the best of enemies', but there are a few precedents for English Rugby to be twisted towards the posher end of the class system, since those Schools were the foundation of much of the kids sport until the new millenium. Look no further that the daily Mail school's rugby competition. Pleased to see that recently the balance has been a bit redressed, mostly I think since ooop north, Rugby Union has found a small niche where some don't think that Union is only for southern softies
And ofc, some publicschoolboys are idiots whose families do read the dailyMail so...let them laugh and sneer from the corporate boxes. It happens everywhere, who cares. Real fans, like real players understand a fierce but friendly rivarly, and the old enemies have always been fair game, give and take, and a pint together later.
And ofc, some publicschoolboys are idiots whose families do read the dailyMail so...let them laugh and sneer from the corporate boxes. It happens everywhere, who cares. Real fans, like real players understand a fierce but friendly rivarly, and the old enemies have always been fair game, give and take, and a pint together later.
Of course I don't begrudge England winning and their fans enjoying it. I was one of the first to praise their performance on here yesterday.
Most England fans are perfectly gracious, but there's no doubting that there's a significant number who do have a superiority complex and are the first to laugh at Wales when it goes wrong for them. It's even worse in the football.
That's why I've always preferred the Irish and Scots and wouldn't support England.
Spike
pfm Member
As an Under 16 coach in a Northumberland state school I have to say that it’s isn’t exactly as you described. Yes the three Public Schools are strong (my kids have beaten them a number of times including County Cup semi and finals!) but many state schools enter what was the DM Cup, now NatWest School cup since 2012. It’s an excellent competition and guarantees a number of matches, normally with some seeding. Many of the same kids play for local teams so know each other very well. Many of the top Public schools don’t really provide many players to professional teams. It’s really the specialist Rugby schools. There are some very strong state schools playing top level Rugby and providing lots of talent to Premiership clubs. I had Callum Chick in my team from U14 to U16. He was the Under 20 England captain when they won the World Cup a few years ago. Now a regular for the Falcons competing with Mark Wilson at No 8. Well last before relegation he was.
SteveS1
I heard that, pardon?
Well I think that's a bit sad. Arrogance isn't unique to English fans, nor is it common in rugby fans in general. This morning I was disappointed for the many Welsh fans who would have delighted in the idea of an England v Wales final, had that been on offer before a ball was kicked. It so nearly came off.
You have your right to an opinion.
I too would have liked to have seen a Wales vs England final. It would have made for a great game of attacking rugby. With South Africa in it, the game will be a bore fest.
I guess we have our third place play-off that no one wants to play. Ahh well. We won the Six Nations!
Rockmeister
pfm Member
I phrased it badly Spike. The DM cup is now full of winning state schools and the better for it. I meant that the DailyMail is hardly a working class rag!
I taught in 2 Independent Schools and 3 comps. The Welsh comp lived and breathed rugby, but both of the english ones were football only. My best claim to fame is one J Wilkinson, but the last School in Northants has East Midlands rugby on site and regularly produces lads for the top clubs. I think many Schools find new H&S legislation VV tough. I'm out of touch but if you are coaching, is it now nearly a non contact game at School level?
Spike
pfm Member
In all my years involved in rugby I’d say that Welsh supporters are the ones who are more arrogant regarding their team. Many England fans maybe well off and there is a lot of jealousy towards them from the Welsh. Can’t say I particularly enjoy their way of life but I never see this supposed arrogance. I was once told if you point a finger, you point three at yourself. And you’ve just confirmed that. I was supporting Wales today. I will always support a UK team.
I’m a Welshman and yes I’m disappointed they lost the semi final but as soon as the final whistle went I just turned round to the missus, told her it’s one of those things and I went out for a bike ride. It’s only a bloody game!
I’ve got nothing against England and wish them well but living here in Devon I’ve got a couple of so called mates who are pretty nasty and just want Wales to lose to whoever they’re playing. Their comments start to make me feel the same about the England rugby team as they do about the Welsh but I really do not want to be like that. I’ll watch the final in the comfort of my own home on my own next weekend, good luck to England but honestly i’ll Be glad when it’s all over.
I’ve got nothing against England and wish them well but living here in Devon I’ve got a couple of so called mates who are pretty nasty and just want Wales to lose to whoever they’re playing. Their comments start to make me feel the same about the England rugby team as they do about the Welsh but I really do not want to be like that. I’ll watch the final in the comfort of my own home on my own next weekend, good luck to England but honestly i’ll Be glad when it’s all over.
Spike
pfm Member
Sorry. My misunderstanding. I always loved beating Newcastle RGS. Their coach was my old teacher/coach. Top bloke and loved coaching hence moving from a state to a public school. He’d coach a bus queue if he walked past. The beauty they have is time and resources. Kids are so well drilled from such an early age.
No problems with H&S at all. From year 7 up it’s full contact. Scrum can only move 1 metre and no lifting in line out until U16.
Rob998
Scimmia Nordoccidentale
Interesting, I get the same thing from Scottish supporters (of whatever sport), the “anyone but England” mentality, almost rabidly in some cases. Never had it to the same degree anywhere else, including Wales and Ireland. You obviously expect it a little, but mostly there’s an understanding that it’s a friendly rivalry. I’m not talking about watching eg England V Scotland in Scotland btw, just what could be seen as neutral games.
Anyway the experience of watching England matches in Scotland has soured me to the point that I now have an “Anyone but Scotland” mentality myself. Any other home nation I’ll support, but never, ever Scotland, even if a Scotland win would help England.
At one corporate do at Twickenham for the 6 Nations a few years ago, where I was the only Wales supporter among our group, the pisstaking somewhat stopped when I bumped into an old school friend. He has a World Cup winner’s medal from the 2003 tournament....
The rugby in my family comes from my Welsh parent, so I’ve always supported Wales in Rugby. But my other parent is English so I have no issue supporting England when they’re playing (unless it’s against Wales).
So I’m very disappointed about today’s result, but I’m delighted England are in the final and I hope they put on another fantastic display to beat SA in the final.
The rugby in my family comes from my Welsh parent, so I’ve always supported Wales in Rugby. But my other parent is English so I have no issue supporting England when they’re playing (unless it’s against Wales).
So I’m very disappointed about today’s result, but I’m delighted England are in the final and I hope they put on another fantastic display to beat SA in the final.
Rockmeister
pfm Member
And on current forms, England could be at 75% and still beat that SA. Hope it is both teams at full steam for the match tho, apart from any other reason, Japan who appear to have been amazing hosts, deserve the spectacle. I wonder where Gatland and Hansen are off to next? I guess japan might be tempting, with that much promise and a salary to match?
mjw
pfm Member
Thanks, Spike. Still can’t think why it’s an issue for him when he’s there to account for his own team’s demise. I guess journalists mull over the questions that damn you if you answer, surly if you refuse. He’d do best to focus on the fact that Wales’ reward for losing that tedious arm wrestle is to play a smarting All Blacks team within five days - best of luck with that.