Ali Price has backed the Scottish Rugby Union in stating that the decision over whether to take a knee in support of the Rugby Against Racism campaign should be left to each player to make individually and said that there has been no discussion yet amongst the players about how they should handle the situation ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations round two clash with Wales at Murrayfield.
The Scotland squad was criticised after four players – including Price – decided to take a knee during the ‘moment of reflection’ ahead of last Saturday’s historic win over England at Twickenham and will now be under the spotlight during the preamble to this coming Saturday’s match.
“There may well be a discussion, but I feel, again, it’s an individual’s decision,” said the scrum-half. “It’s not been spoken about yet. We’re all grown men, we have our opinions and thoughts on the matter.”
Price – who was joined by Jonny Gray, Chris Harris and debutant Cameron Redpath in taking a knee on Saturday – says it was a split-second decision to make the gesture.
“It felt like the right thing to do,” he explained. “In any of the games I've played previously, it was never something that was there – in some games we've ran out and gone straight to kick-off, in some we've had a moment's silence for whatever reason – so it was a decision I made.
“Everyone has their reasons as to whether they would or wouldn’t. For me, it was a moment of reflection then I got back up, the anthems played, and I got on with the game.
“Walking out on the field, I didn't have in my head what was going to happen in that moment. We were told beforehand that there would be a round of applause for Sir Tom Moore and everyone who has sadly passed away due to Covid, followed by a moment of reflection around racism in sport.
“It wasn’t something we spoke about, like when you face the haka and decide to line-up in a certain formation.”
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