Sam Ryder's 'disrespectful' national anthem at English rugby final stuns players and viewers
Sam Ryder's 'disrespectful' national anthem at English rugby final stuns players and viewers
Eurovision star Sam Ryder took a different approach to God Save the King at Twickenham
Sam Ryder plays the national anthem ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Bath Rugby and Leicester Tigers
(Image: 2025 Getty Images )
Pop star Sam Ryder has caused a big stir among rugby viewers after a very different rendition of the English national anthem ahead of the Gallagher Premiership final.
Eurovision star Ryder appeared in the middle of the Twickenham pitch as he performed God Save the King simply with an electric guitar. ITV Rugby commentator Alastair Eykyn said: "It's the national anthem, but not as we know it."
The controversial move took viewers aback, with many less than enthusiastic about the departure from the norm. A number of players also seemed surprised by what was unfolding at the home of English rugby, with veteran Leicester prop Dan Cole appearing to struggle to keep a straight face.
While there were some who appreciated God Save the King being done in a different way, most viewers expressed a different view on social media.
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'Dan Cole's face says it all during that rendition of the national anthem,' said one.
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Another added: 'Dan Cole's face says it all. Oh my days a picture is worth a thousand words or what?! Bonkers man!'
"Sam Ryder playing the guitar to the national anthem is an absolute disgrace btw. So disrespectful," said a viewer on X.
Further comments included: "Sam Ryder just killed the National Anthem at Twickenham" and "Who on earth thought that Sam Ryder performance was a good idea!"
Bath were playing Leicester Tigers for the crown of English champions in front of a sell-out crowd.
The UK's 2022 Eurovision entrant Ryder, 35, was the first British act to come second since Imaani in 1998, and the first to make it to the top five since Jade Ewen with It's My Time in 2009.
Ryder has recently moved to the US and put down 'roots' in Nashville, which is associated with the country singer.
He added: 'It's been a dream for a long time (to move there) and, but I didn't realise… finishing the album, my studio's here in the UK, so (I had) to come straight back and get the album done, so the problem is I've had zero sleep.'
Ryder, from Essex, began as a TikTok star.
He signed to the Parlophone record label, part of Warner Music Group, and released his debut EP, The Sun's Gonna Rise, in 2021, before going to Eurovision in 2022.
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He was nominated for an Emmy for his Ted Lasso single, Fought & Lost, which he co-wrote for the hit Apple TV+ comedy.
He has released new music including a Christmas single, You're Christmas To Me, which reached number two in the charts and a number one album titled There's Nothing But Space, Man!
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