RUFC - National Anthems at Sporting Events

I have wondered for some time why, in the unlikely event that England win anything sporty, 'God Save The Queen' is played. I say played and not sung as in the past decade or so it has become evident that, for instance in the England football team, not many actually know any of the words and tend to mumble their way through.

It was always my understanding that 'God Save The Queen' was, in fact, the British National Anthem and I would therefore have thought it should be played when teams calling themselves Great Britain were playing. And I find it quite mystifying why sports teams from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have it played as their anthem too.

Which leads me to the question - should England have their own National Anthem. After all, the Irish have 'Danny Boy' or 'Londonderry Air', the Scots have 'Flower of Scotland' and I, for one, shall never forget the Cardiff fans at Millmoor singing 'Men of Harlech' although I understand the Welsh official National Anthem is actually 'Land of My Fathers (Hen Wlad fy Nhadau)'.

So what could the English National Anthem be? I think it should be something stirring, something that makes you want to stand up proudly and sing. Perhaps 'Land of Hope and Glory' or 'Jerusalem' or 'There'll Always Be An England'. Or take a cue from the English Rugby Union team who sing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.'

Anyone else any ideas?

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