It’s great to be around at this time of year. The anti-English sentiment, the base passions and nervous rivalry that one puts along with any sporting event where the two old rivals play each other is a joyous thing to behold. There’s nothing like being in a country where you are made acutely aware of how much the locals hate your birth nation. Welcome to Wales and the Six Nations.
I’ve got nothing against it, don’t get me wrong. A bit of passionate support is a good thing and I don’t mind getting a bit of a friendly ribbing for being English, essentially because it feels that much better when we beat the boys in red. And I’d rather see a good game more than anything else.
It’s just hard to understand just how people can get so utterly one-sided about it. I live in Cardiff, this is my third year now, I love the city and find the locals to be a pretty sound bunch of people.
If I didn’t like it, or couldn’t accept the fact that there are going to be swathes of Welsh fans around, I’d be a bit thick in still living here. I don’t mind the banter, its good fun. If only Welsh fans could take the same spirit.
I’ve had many great conversations about rugby with Wales fans, but I’ve never once flipped or shouted or got stressed because of something somebody has said about my team. What’s the point? Let them do the talking on the pitch.
I have, however, met with some much more aggressive responses from Welsh fans if you so much as dare to suggest that their team might be a little bit rubbish; only in jest of course.
There are stories in Wales and Scotland of England fans getting beaten up, and the general response just seems to be one of quiet acceptance. Granted it happens the other way around in England, but it’s the accepting attitude that seems to be much more prevelant here. ‘Well, if you’re going to support your own team that’s what you should expect.’ Get lost. It’s not acceptable anywhere and it never should be.
We all love a good game; it matters, and so it should. I wish Wales all the luck they can get, and hope that they need it against England, because I hope we win. Proud nations are no bad thing. But learn how to laugh at your own team.
It’s one of the essential skills to be an England fan, especially if you follow cricket.
