Anthems
Before the start of each game the national anthem of both teams is sung by their players and supporters. God Save the Queen, the national anthem of the United Kingdom, is used only by England. Wales and Scotland each sing their own national anthem. Ireland, whose rugby team represents two jurisdictions, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), have a specially commissioned anthem for rugby internationals.
- England: God Save the Queen
- France: La Marseillaise
- Ireland: Amhrán na bhFiann ("A Soldier's Song") and Ireland's Call. Ireland's rugby team represents both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. At home games, the Republic's national anthem Amhrán na bhFiann is sung first, followed by "Ireland's Call". For away games, only "Ireland's Call" is sung.
- Italy: Il Canto degli Italiani usually called L' Inno di Mameli
- Scotland: Flower of Scotland Scotland has no official national anthem. However, since the national rugby union team adopted "Flower of Scotland" in 1990, most other Scottish national teams have followed suit.
- Wales: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Read more about this topic: Six Nations Championship
Famous quotes containing the word anthems:
“Always the seer is a sayer. Somehow his dream is told: somehow he publishes it with solemn joy: sometimes with pencil on canvas: sometimes with chisel on stone; sometimes in towers and aisles of granite, his soul’s worship is builded; sometimes in anthems of indefinite music; but clearest and most permanent, in words.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)