A former sports minister called on the English rugby team to come up with their own national anthem - because God Save The Queen "gets up the noses" of the Scots and Welsh.

Labour MSP for Cathcart Mike Watson said that while he congratulated England on their Rugby World Cup success, he disagreed with their decision to play the British anthem before their matches.

Mr Watson, who was culture, tourism and sport minister in the Scottish Parliament before the last election, called on England to have a competition to come up with their own anthem before they defend the Webb Ellis Cup in 2007.

In a motion laid before the Scottish Parliament, Mr Watson praises England's achievement in defeating the host nation Australia to lift the trophy in Sydney on Sunday.

But he added he hoped that "before defending its title in 2007, it might commission a national anthem of its own".

Mr Watson, the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, said God Save The Queen should only be used when Britain is competing, such as in the Olympics.

He said: "God Save The Queen is the national anthem of the United Kingdom, it's not the national anthem of any of the individual countries.

"Scotland and Wales have their own national anthems and you can hear them before international matches.

"But at a time when I think there is greater warmth felt towards England in Scotland, I don't think the English help when they breast-beat before matches singing an anthem which is not the anthem of England.

"It does get up the noses of people in Scotland and Wales when England effectively suggest they are the United Kingdom.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP