The Gallagher Premiership Final between Bath and Leicester Tigers caused a stir before the first kick of the ball on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.<\/b><\/p>\n
This was because of the surprising rendition of God Save the King prior to kick-off.<\/p>\n
Usually, the anthem is sung by a performer, but not this time as English singer, songwriter, producer, composer and social media personality Sam Ryder strutted out with an electric guitar and performed the anthem with no vocals.<\/p>\n
It caught several players by surprise as they were notably stunned by what unfolded, and onlookers all felt the same too.<\/p>\n
Social media split<\/p>\n
Retiring England<\/a> great Dan Cole<\/a> was one of those who were visually shocked.<\/p>\n \u201cDan Cole\u2019s face says it all during that rendition of the national anthem,\u201d one post on social media platform X read.<\/p>\n So many fans were baffled with one comment reading: \u201cWhat on earth was that anthem about.\u201d<\/p>\n The move away from a traditional singer polarised the fans which many slamming it for being a very American approach.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. Electric guitar version of the national anthem. Hideously American antics,\u201d @rugby_AP wrote.<\/p>\n Rugby Inside Line added: \u201cThis national anthem for the Prem<\/a> Final is very American isn\u2019t it\u2026 Interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n A special rendition of the National Anthem, performed by Sam Ryder \u2728#GallagherPremFinal<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GZiqaS88KJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Bath hoping to go \u2018one step further\u2019 in Premiership final as Johann van Graan \u2018turns hope into belief\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cImagine retiring after this final after hearing that. Mockery of the anthem and I\u2019m not even a royalist!\u201d Another remarked.<\/p>\n One post read: \u201cDan Cole\u2019s face says it all. Oh my days a picture is worth a thousand words or what?! Bonkers man!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell that was absolutely horrific!\u201d another added.<\/p>\n But there were those who enjoyed the change.<\/p>\n \u201cFair play to Sam Ryder. He\u2019s made the national anthem sound not shit for the first time in history,\u201d one fan gleamed.<\/p>\n Ruck \u2018n Roll added: \u201cGod Save the King by Sam Ryder on electric guitar This final is like a fever dream already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Sam Ryder what a legend! Nice bit of guitaaaaar to start the rugby off! Come on Tigers!!\u201d Kathryn Maskew wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cWay prefer that version of the anthem than opera singers,\u201d another post read.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Dan Cole makes retirement call after honest reflection about \u2018next chapter\u2019 at Leicester Tigers<\/a>\n
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