Madam, - Gerry Thornley writes that Brian O'Driscoll is, pound for pound, "the best Irish player of this, or possibly any other, generation" (Six Nations Supplement, January 31st).
I have been watching Irish rugby for 60 years and, without a doubt, the best Irish back I have seen in that time was the flawless Mike Gibson. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that he was the best I have seen from any of the four home countries. - Yours, etc,
RAYMOND KERNAN, Drumakill, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
Madam,- It was a little unnerving to see a commercial for men's moisturiser on Network 2 during the half-time break in the disappointing rugby match between Ireland and Italy. However, it might give Eddie O'Sullivan some fresh inspiration for his bench: how about those likely lads Paco Rabanne and Jo Malone? - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN GLACKEN, The Gasworks, Barrow Street, Dublin 4.