Always loved 'le bleus', funnily enough supported them in their last RWC game against some team who I now forget the name of. I'll have to admit that I cheered all the way. Was I sat watching in a workingmans club in one of the South Wales valleys. Nope I was actually in an Irish bar in Fuerteventura surrounded by a few other patrons also singing Le Marseilles
Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé
Entendez-vous dans nos campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!
Aux armes citoyens
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons, marchons
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons
Suppose you had to be there but it was
What you'll probably find is that the vast majority of neutral fans will never support England and will always support the opposition. I've been on a few Tours and this is very evident in the Celtic Nations. The problem with English Rugby particularly the National Team is that it exudes arrogance, in the past when they've had a good Team it could be forgiven, but with this current lot 'lost in showbiz' England have probably set themselves up as THE Team to beat, not because they are good but just to take them down a peg or two and wipe their noses in it.
On paper, with the talent, resources and money, England should have walked to the final. They didn't. Something wrongs somewhere they are NOT a Team and the Tactics against opposition has been appalling. Surely by going to the RWC they must have known that the media spotlight would fall on them. They knew they had to behave and be squeaky clean but as it is a few of those guys should never wear an England shirt again. Sorry if this sounds a bit OTT but these guys are Professionals representing their Country. The days of Rugby Tour antics at a National level have gone many years ago.
It will hurt if Wales don't get to the Final. They deserve to get there The style of Rugby that Wales is playing is what the RWC audiences want to see. Winning is important but here in Wales we love the 'game' everything is about playing the game. Following our defeat by South Africa It came as shock to a lot of people that we don't actually mind losing just so long as we play the game. Perhaps that is the Welsh failing and is why we will never repeat the 70's again. Perhaps the love of how we feel this game should be played and not being as clinical as some other Teams, particularly the Tri Nations will mean we will always be non-achievers. Mind you with a Captain who's only 23 leading the way both on and off the pitch this RWC may give a spark that can relight the fires of Y Ddraig Goch and let the Red Shirts yet again achieve Rugby Nirvana
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.
Ahem.................It's Hat eating time by the way