Scotland celebrates after Calcutta Cup heroes break 38-year Twickenham hoodoo
Scotland rugby coach Gregor Townsend has said he “100 per cent” backs players who did not “take a knee” before the team’s historic Calcutta Cup victory over England.
All but four of the Scotland team stayed standing, as did some England players and the match officials. There was no directive from World Rugby or the Six Nations other than that there would be a minute's silence to demonstrate opposition to racism.
Townsend said the team did not discuss plans surrounding whether or not to take the knee before the Calcutta Cup victory on Saturday.
Speaking on behalf of his team, Townsend told the BBC: “We obviously stand against racism or discrimination in our sport.” Asked whether he leaves the decision down to individual players to take the knee or not, Townsend said: “Yes, 100 per cent, we back our players on that.”
Scottish Rugby has said it is up to each individual player how they mark it. The union said it "fully supports" efforts to end discrimination and confirmed that similar tributes will be paid before Saturday's Six Nations meeting with Wales at Murrayfield.
A silence was held at each of Scotland's Autumn Nations Cup matches late last year and no players kneeled during those. Similarly, none of the players did so before Sunday's Six Nations game between Wales and Ireland.
“Scottish Rugby fully supports rugby’s ongoing work to end discrimination and racism
in our sport,” read a Scottish Rugby statement.
“This commitment has been expressed with a moment of reflection before every international match since the summer of 2020 and our players are free to demonstrate their support for this important issue in the way they see fit.”
Of the England side, Billy Vunipola and Ben Earl have previously spoken about why they do not kneel. Similarly, the Exeter Chiefs players among the team have chosen not to in previous matches.
Scotland’s 6-11 victory over England on Saturday in the opening tie of this year’s Six Nations was the first time Scottish victory at Twickenham since 1983.
Townsend said coronavirus meant his players had a "quieter celebration" as they "followed all the social distancing protocols".
He added that his players would be "feeling fragile", but said that is because of the "physical" nature of the clash.
Townsend, speaking after Saturday's victory, added yesterday: "We flew back last night, and they weren't in their beds straight away, let's say."
He said: "It was great, we had the trophy in the changing room, there is a real bond with the group so it was just brilliant to see them enjoy the moment ." Townsend confessed he "didn't have much sleep last night", but added: "It is amazing what adrenaline can do for you. The glow and the buzz from yesterday, the game itself, but also the messages and just thinking about what homes were like in Scotland yesterday afternoon ."
Those messages included praise for a "truly historic win" from Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who tweeted her "massive congratulations" to the team.
Townsend continued: "It would have been much better if we had had supporters in the stadium, but, with the messages coming in, it hit home what a big result this was."