Malcolm RifkindSecretary of State, ladies and gentlemen:
Thank you for letting me come tonight and share in the celebration of a great Scottish victory—not something the English often do.
Of course there is no-one who enjoys a rugby celebration, more than Denis ThatcherDenis, whoever was the winner, and he is very pleased to be here too.
I expect you know the story about the former Scots international who arrived at the pearly gates and is welcomed by an elderly bearded gentleman.
“Have you any sins to confess before you enter, my boy? Did you really touch down in the Calcutta cup—the one that won the championship?” he asked
“Well since you ask” , said the international, “the ball slipped into touch before I reached the try line” . [end p1]
“I see, well come through all the same” .
“Thank you, St. Peter” .
Oh no, I'm not St. Peter, it's his day off. I'm St. Andrew” .
Of course I have to be strictly neutral between the four home rugby unions—so I shall concentrate on saying how splendid it was that you beat the French so convincingly, here at Murrayfield.
Of course you do have to be very careful when you play against the French. I remember Sir Ewen Fergussonour ambassador in France—a former Scottish international himself—telling me about the time when his team were invited to play a French side in the Cognac region. The French team were very friendly, and suggested they came the evening before to get to know each other—and indeed they did. As you can imagine, the hospitality was let's say abundant, [end p2] especially the Cognac. When the British team ran out onto the pitch the next morning feeling a little the worse for wear … they found themselves facing an entirely different French team.
Can I also say how very much we appreciated the very clean rugby which Scotland played in all their matches. I am told that there is an old proverb in the North of England that says “the Scot will not fight until he sees his own blood” . Well you fought very hard indeed, without any blood, and that was a great example to all our young people.
As so often Robert Burns got it just right when he wrote:
“From scenes like these old Scotland's grandeur springs that makes her loved at home, revered abroad.”
There's no doubt that scottish rugby is loved at home and revered abroad, particularly after your achievements this season. [end p3]
And I am sure that New Zealand will find that out, when you start your tour there later this month.
You have my best wishes for that—and with a captain like David Sole, you can't fail.
Indeed can I pay tribute not only to him but also to the coaching team of Ian Mcgeechan and Jim Telfer, to the selectors and to countless others behind the scenes who contributed so much to this year's success.
Can I also mention a particularly long-suffering group—the wives and girlfriends. Let me tell you I know all about being married to a Denis Thatcherrugby player and referee, and I can assure you that it's even worse than being married to a politician!
All those wet, windy and muddy Saturday afternoons. Politics may sometimes be windy and even occasionally muddy; but when I am around, I can assure you they are never wet. [end p4]
So can I wish you every possible success and once again offer congratulations for all that you have achieved this year for Scottish—indeed for British—rugby.