As far as I can recall (although maybe someone can think of an example to disprove this) the current Rugby World Cup in New Zealand marks the first time in two-and-a-half decades that there's been a really big sporting event in which a Home Nation other than England has progressed further than England itself. So this marks an intriguing test of the London media, especially the broadcast media. Will there be a consistency of approach with what happens when England are the last Home Nation standing? Will we, as usual, be breathlessly informed by ITV newsreaders that - in spite of a huge amount of evidence to the contrary - "the whole country" is at fever-pitch? It seems unlikely somehow.
Let's give them the benefit of the doubt, but the early signs are not terribly encouraging. Last night's headlines were all about England's failure, with Wales' success treated as something of an afterthought. I've yet to hear the dread phrase "at least there's still British interest in the competition", but I fear it may only be a matter of time...
You haven't seen The Observer or the Independent on Sunday today, then? Both have "We're All Welsh Now" articles, god help us: http://mostpeculiar.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/are-we-all-welsh-now/
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nic.
ReplyDelete"It can be as crude as a Friday night brawl in East Kilbride, all gouging and scraping and fingers in orifices."
I presume that's supposed to be 'affectionate' stereotyping, unless he/she just happened to catch East Kilbride at a particularly exciting moment.
"it is natural for all British rugby supporters to hurl their weight behind the one remaining sceptr'd nation"
The mind boggles.
John Humphries, a Welshman, was bemoaning the fact on the Today programme this morning that much time was spent analysing the reasons for England's defeat on that programme. He took the opportunity of the link between segments to point out that Wales was still in the competition.
ReplyDeleteWe're not all Welsh now though, any more than we are normally all English.