Scotland explain not taking a knee for anti-racism message against England

The Edinburgh player has responded to the furore surrounding both teams being split over the gesture

Scotland forward Jamie Ritchie maintains Scotland gave their full support for the anti-racism message in the Guinness Six Nations match against England despite not taking a knee.

The Edinburgh player admits he is "surprised" at the outrage after opting against making the gesture in the Calcutta Cup, which Scotland won 11-6.

Ritchie and others elected to stand and reflect while team-mates kneeled down but he felt all had shown support for anti-racism campaigns in their own way.

The pre-match ritual also included tributes to coronavirus victims including Captain Sir Tom Moore.

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Six Nations organisers did not request that players take the knee but at least four Scotland players and about 11 England players were pictured doing so with those who stood coming under criticism.

Ritchie said: "It's all been a bit of a surprise to be honest. We weren't told before the game 'we would like you to kneel' or 'we wouldn't like you to kneel'. It was down to personal choice.

"I don't think anyone who didn't kneel was disagreeing with anything that was put forward. It's 100 per cent right that rugby is acknowledging the anti-racism movement. I completely agree with that.

"I think guys standing in quiet reflection of that is in full support of it.

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"Whether boys kneeled or didn't kneel was nothing we discussed before the game, it was completely down to personal preference. Anyone who kneeled I would back 100 per cent and anyone who stood I would do the same.

"For me personally it was the first game I had been involved in when anyone took the knee. I was not surprised, I knew guys in the Premiership had been doing it, but it was down to personal preference at the time. I took that time to reflect and think about the message.

The teams line up for the Rugby Against Racism campaign during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham (Getty)

"You can't please everyone, it's such a polarising argument, whether to kneel or not. Social media can be a pretty vile place at times and guys know how to deal with it.

"It's not stung, it has certainly not taken away from how special that day was for everyone involved. It's just one of the things that comes with being in the limelight and playing pro sport."

One of the Scotland players who did kneel, Ali Price, also feels too much has been made of the issue.

The Glasgow scrum-half said: "We were told beforehand that there would be a round of applause for Sir Tom and everyone who has sadly passed away due to Covid, followed by a moment of reflection around racism in sport and in general. And then it's very much individual.

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"I have never taken a knee in any of the games I have been involved in before. It was never part of any of the build-up to PRO14 games. In the autumn we never did it.

Scotland players line up in support of the Rugby Against Racism campaign (Getty)

"On the day I felt it was right to take a knee. At the same time, I could also have stood like many of the other players did and just had that moment of reflection. There's different ways to do that.

"There's too much to read into that, everyone was reflective and respectful."

PA