Saint-Denis (AFP)

"God save the Queen" resounds around the Stade de France and roosters boast on the scarves: two days after Brexit, the British supporters who came to witness the France-England shock refused to mix rugby and politics. Sport, "nothing but sport".

Before the famous crunch of the Six Nations Tournament begins, the sidewalks of Saint-Denis are invaded with white and blue jerseys and the red cheeks and loud voices of the supporters indicate that beer has been flowing in pubs for some time.

The mood is good and the divorce on Friday between the United Kingdom and the European Union seems far away.

"The Six Nations Tournament makes fun of Brexit. It's still the Six Nations Tournament," said Mark Harrison, 52, supporter of the XV de la Rose from Portsmouth.

Beer in hand, sheltered under an awning with other spectators of the match, French and English, Mark is convinced that "rugby and Brexit are completely different. Rugby has nothing to do with politics".

Southampton resident Simon Avery 43, admits to having "mixed feelings", only 48 hours after the UK left the EU.

"It's sad. It still seems unreal but it's far too early to have a significant change in the sport, or the way people can experience it," he said.

At the exit of the RER, in front of a sausage stand, Mark Lawson wants to separate Brexit from rugby. "It's sad not to have found a solution but the + crunch + is sport, just sport".

His friend Graham Ward, of Gloucester, outbids: he recognizes that Brexit has exacerbated the "confrontation" between his country and the rest of the European Union but, he says, "rugby is different". "Even if on the ground, it will be a confrontation," he predicts.

It is a confrontation between two teams "but not between two nations, we are all from the same nation, that of rugby", he summarizes. And proudly brandish the emblematic garlic necklaces and red berets.

- "The + crunch + of change" -

"If this + crunch + is special? But the + crunch + is always a special day!" laughs Tom Nicholls, evoking the old rivalry between France and England in rugby.

This assumed "brexiter" believes that everything should not be mixed up: "It's nothing but a rugby match. Life is too short to talk about politics".

"Rugby is an international sport that brings people together, not like football. We are just love. Brexit does not fit in there," said Ron Macguire, a 60-year-old Scotsman who supports ... the XV rose.

French fans are passionate about the subject, but the discussion is not always easy.

"The English do not dare answer us when asked if they are for or against Brexit," said a three-color supporter, Didier Besseron. "We have been with them for two hours, they have been offered to drink, but they do not want to tell us! I think they are a bit in the shit. "

His friend Jacky Sormin salutes this speech, raises his cup of hops and drinks "at the + crunch + of change!"

© 2020 AFP