Thu 21 Mar 2024 | 09:34
Former British and Irish Lions pair label Scotland players 'arrogant'

Former British and Irish Lions standout Sam Warburton and Ugo Money discussed an incident in the wake of Scotland's opening round Guinness Six Nations victory over Wales.

Speaking on the BBC Five Live Rugby Union Daily Podcast, Warburton said two senior players acted inappropriately at the post-match function.

Not wanting to single the players out, Warburton did not reveal the players identity but explained what the situation in depth.

"I am not going to throw these two players under the bus so they will remain anonymous but they were two senior players in the Scotland team at the moment who were in a post match function and I was just like minding my own business and two Scottish players came in after a game, after a really good win.

"I remember watching it and in my head I thought it was shocking from a cultural perspective. They came in, beers in their hands, still in their kit, flip flops on given it the big one.

"Bear in mind this was over just one win and they were doing this Q and A and I thought they were really arrogant. I'll be honest. I thought it was dead arrogant.

"I was watching thinking, that's how I would celebrate winning a World Cup. I just thought if I was coach or if I was to play then that I would be saying, ‘is that your standard?'

"Are you celebrating that win over what was a reasonable Wales team? I am just thinking culturally I thought that was bad."

"As a player with Wales we'll celebrate if we win the championship, we can do whatever we want. What I saw that with Scotland I'm thinking, that's not the mindset of a championship team. I don't want to sound too negative but I just think if you want to be truly elite you have to really act as if you are elite. I think maybe it's a cultural thing."

Echoing Warburton's experiences, Monye chipped in with experiences of his own following Scotland's win over England in their Calcutta Cup clash.

"You’re spot on, Warbs (Sam Warburton), and you saying it brings so much more validity than me saying it because you've gone back to back Six Nations, you've captured your country with distinction," he said.

"And when I say it is like I’m just bitter English, but everything you've said is everything that I've experienced. I know I've joked in the past that if they (Scotland) beat England, they have a bank holiday, but every joke is half a truth. That's how I feel; that's the energy that I get from Scotland, and they get too excited too quickly.

"I am trying to think what is this based upon? Is this based upon this history of dominating this tournament or having won it a few times but it’s (based on) nothing. I just keep getting fed this message of this golden generation of all this and that.

"And by the way, we've patted Scotland on the back after they beat England. We’re like, ‘I'm jealous of this, what an atmosphere, I love Duhan van der Merwe with his hat-trick'. We give them their praise when it is due, but for too long, Scotland have under-delivered.”

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