In a fiery reaction reminiscent of a test match atmosphere, England fans have directed their ire towards Scotland’s international contingent of foreign-born players, attributing their Six Nations defeat to this contentious issue.
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At Murrayfield, Duhan van der Merwe etched his name in history, becoming the premier Scotland player to net a Calcutta Cup hat-trick, as England tasted defeat for the fourth consecutive time in the Six Nations clash.
Displaying his formidable prowess, the South African-born winger notched two remarkable tries at Twickenham last year, surpassing himself with a stellar performance this time around.
One fan wrote: “I haven’t heard many Scottish accents while watching this match. Seems like there are more English and South Africans on the Scottish side.”
Another said: “Duhan van der Merwe is such an ancient Scottish name, part of the clans no doubt!”
A third angrily wrote: “Scotland is a club team with 21 foreign born players without genuine Scottish links. 5 of whom moved to Scotland as adults. They aren’t products of the Scottish system, they are rugby mercenaries who came for a paycheque. It is shameful and degrades the international game,”
“Scotland have foreign born players in their Six Nations squad. 11 English born, 5 Saffers, 3 Aussies and a Canadian backpacker who missed his flight and drafted in. Redpath appears to be Scottish as he had some Buckie in his sports bag,” added a fourth.
SIX NATIONS RANKED BY FOREIGN- BORN PLAYERS:
France (3) – Down by one
Uini Atonio (New Zealand)
Paul Willemse (South Africa)
Émilien Gailleton (England)
Wales (4) – Down by one
Archie Griffin (Australia)
Will Rowlands (England)
George North (England)
Nick Tompkins (England)
England (6) – Up by two
Ethan Roots (New Zealand)
Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)
Sam Underhill (USA)
Marcus Smith (Phillipines)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Wales)
Tom Roebuck (Scotland)