I watch the Wales Scotland rugby match being played at Murrayfield which is not named after Andy Murray.
I am watching out of duty rather than for pleasure.
It is the second round of the six Nations international competition. In the first round Wales playing in their fortress at the millennium Stadium Cardiff which is named after the Millenium date not after the Milennium Dome. They showed that home advantage was not enough to counter Ireland currently, ranked No 2 team in the world after France.
Scotland in contrast, had done something, very unusual against England at Twickenham winning a thrilling encounter playing in England’s fortress. Fortresses didn’t do very well last week. Scotland are not supposed to beat England at Twickenham. Wales are not supposed to lose by a bucket full of points against anyone at the millennium Stadium. The omens are not good for this week.
I am in position with a good vantage point for the game, midway between the television set and my chess table now laden with half-time sandwiches and refreshments. I am wearing my ancient Wooly red scarf and bobble hat, each bearing the war cry Cymru am Byth.
I join the crowd of supporters in singing the National Anthem Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
The team has been coached in the words and singalong, though not at the tempo suggested by the conductor.
The TV camera pans to to show Princess Anne, who has remained above all the scandals of other members of her family. She takes seriously her job as patron of Scottish rugby. Prince Charles had a similar role for Welsh Rugby until he got promoted recently. I can’t see whether his successor present.
The game begins ...
