Ex-Scotland coach wants "immature" national anthem axed on eve of Six Nations

01 February 2023 , 09:11

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Jim Tefler has called for the Scottish national anthem to be ditched (Image: Getty Images)

Former Scotland coach Jim Telfer is still adamant his nation should "show maturity" by ditching their national anthem.

The Scots will blast out Flower of Scotland loud and proud at Twickenham before their blockbuster Six Nations Calcutta Cup clash against England on Saturday.

But Telfer, 82, believes it is time for the anthem to be shelved because of its anti-English connotations. He has long vocalised his desire for change for the song that was first adopted by the Scottish rugby team when he was forwards coach back in 1990.

The anthem fired the Scots up before their famous victory over the Red Rose to seal the Grand Slam 23 years ago, and has since been used by the national football side and at the Commonwealth Games.

"We need to stop defining ourselves through England, and it would be a sign of maturity if we got ourselves a decent national anthem," Telfer said in 2010. "We should change it and have something that reflects us as a mature nation, instead of talking about another country. It would show us in a better light."

Borthwick changes half of England team for Six Nations opener against Scotland

And Telfer has now reiterated his stance on the song that references Scotland's victory over English forces at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. "Back then [in 1990], it really got the crowd behind us, but I’d like to think we have moved on..." he told the Times.

"Flower of Scotland is a great song in a way and it does get the hairs on your neck straightening and standing up. But because it’s against another country, I still don’t think it’s the ideal anthem. People sing that song, sing about the English, and it’s just in the moment."

Gregor Townsend disagrees with Tefler's view on Flower of Scotland

Scotland boss Gregor Townsend opposes Tefler's view, however, insisting Flower of Scotland is well loved in Test rugby across the world.

“I love it. It’s one of the unique occasions in sport, maybe more so at Murrayfield when the second verse is played without the accompaniment of music," Townsend said.

“Whenever I played a few places outside of Scotland and they always wanted to play Flower of Scotland, whether it was Australia or France, they loved the anthem so it means a lot to our supporters. They also seem to want to continue.”

Ben Parsons