Sir, – What a tonic the Irish rugby team gave the nation on Saturday last. They blew away the cloud of gloom that had hung over us all through the past few months.
Next Sunday they must drag their aching limbs into an even bigger battle, but let them do so knowing that from every corner of this island, from all traditions and sports, from the old and new diaspora, we are behind them. We do not wish to beat England for any outdated historical reasons. We want to defeat them to prove that we are a better team.
The fuss over the captaincy was ridiculous. This team has 15 captains. Come on, Ireland! Yours, etc,