Rugby players are left baffled by child choirs singing their national anthems at the World Cup in France as England fans accuse organisers of ‘butchering’ God Save The King

Rugby players were stunned by children’s choirs singing their national anthems during the match between England and Argentina on Saturday, as fans accused organizers of ‘butchering’ God Save The King.

As England’s Rugby World Cup team lined up for their opening match at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, a high-pitched rendition of the national anthem filled the stadium as players looked amazed and fans were overwhelmed as they tried to sing along.

The decision by French officials to commission school choirs to perform national anthems at this year’s competition was met with unanimous disdain by supporters on all sides.

Former Republic of Ireland international Rob Kearney argued that the pre-recorded videos of children singing are ‘killing the five-minute pre-game buzz’.

Andy Goode, the former Saracens and Leicester Tigers player, wrote on ‘

Argentine fans cheer on their team prior to kick-off for the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina at the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France on September 9, 2023

The organizers are now considering scrapping the children’s choir due to the criticism, French media report.

Officials will meet this week to discuss possible solutions, including allowing fans and players to sing the second half of the national anthem a cappella, rugby publication Midi Olympique reports.

Former players have urged the French Rugby Federation to abolish choirs and instead opt for a more traditional approach.

Mirco Bergamesco, the former Italian centre, posted on X: ‘Can’t we have the national anthems sung normally? The most important thing is the players… It’s a unique moment!’

Brian O’Driscoll, who captained Ireland from 2003 to 2012, told the Off The Ball podcast: ‘The anthems are terrible!

‘The two great national anthems, if we are honest, are La Marseillaise and the Italian national anthem.

‘They both feel like they’ve been slaughtered! There is no way for everyone to support that.’

England fans in the stands for the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D match at the Stade de Marseille, on September 9, 2023

Lesley Garrett CBE, who previously sang the national anthem before rugby, football and cricket matches for England, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program on Monday that organizers had failed to grasp the essence of the pre-game ritual.

“The organizers have misunderstood the crucial relationship between the anthems, the players and the fans,” she said.

“I think they misunderstood the purpose of singing at sporting events.

“It is absolutely essential that the singing of the national anthem gives the team, fans and wider public the opportunity to connect with each other in what will be a huge undertaking.

‘A lot of choirs are pre-recorded and I think the whole essence of the relationship between singing and sport is the fact that it’s all live and everyone does it together and it unites the people who are going to play and watch. ‘