Forget the results, who’s pitch perfect when it comes to singing rugby anthems?

With the third round matches in this year’s Six Nations Rugby Union Championship complete and all having been shown live on television, I’ve taken the opportunity to compare the national anthems (or songs) and the relative fans’ renditions thereof. In no particular order, as they say on Strictly Come Dancing, I would like to offer the following critiques.

The French start with a distinct advantage in that La Marseillaise is probably the finest national anthem on the planet but this year’s renderings by our EU neighbours have been strangely subdued, reflecting, at times, their somewhat lacklustre performances on the pitch.

The Welsh, with Land of My Fathers, are also at a great advantage with this beautifully inspiring melody but of late the Welsh singing has not been as good as it was, sounding distinctly flat in pitch and behind the beat. Could it be that the closure of all the coal mines and the consequential decline in community choral singing is at last beginning to have an effect?

The Italians’ rendering of Il Canto degli Italiani (I cribbed this from the web) was spirited and lively but the song sounds more like an extract from an early Verdi, and who knows, it might actually be?

The Irish, God bless them, find it necessary to have two national anthems rather than one but each was sung with total conviction and credit is due to them for putting a single, united team on the pitch. And this has been reflected in their style of play – a real team effort with 100 per cent commitment from everyone. Bravo!

Conversely, England’s adoption of a national anthem/ song, for England, has actually been debated on numerous occasions in the UK parliament at Westminster but, to no one’s surprise, no decision has been made. And this uncertainty seems to have permeated into their supporters’ vocal chords because on Saturday, neither Jerusalem nor Land of Hope and Glory were rendered with any conviction, style or panache and this, in turn, was reflected in their team’s performance.

On the other hand, Scotland’s supporters may not have the finest song at their disposal but without doubt would win any Best Vocal Arrangement award. The first verse of Flower of Scotland, sung with full pipe band accompaniment, is stirring enough, but when followed by the second verse sung a capella, by 60,000 people, the effect is truly spinetingling! It made the whole afternoon unforgettable.

Well, that plus the result, of course!