England's rugby team has advanced in that sport's World Cup semifinal game against France (France? Rugby?  Who would have guessed?) and as teams are wont to do, the British side has latched onto a bit of a theme in their pursuit of glory.  Actually, it's a theme song.

And it's Kenny Rogers' The Gambler.

As a U.K. newspaper reports, the song became popular when one of the players began strumming it on his guitar in the team hotel and now that familiar anthem to coping with the Fates has become part of the team's pre-game sing-along. (Team sing-along? This story gets stranger by the minute.)

So, Rogers (right) has been in contact with the U.K. lads via a video message, saying he's flattered and offering encouragement in the semis. 

While this rugby business about The Gambler is all fine and dandy, we don't expect any NBA teams to follow suit.

Photo credit:  John Russell/AP