Madam, - English rugby fans have been generous of their praise both of the Irish rugby team and of the behaviour of Irish fans. I think it is only fair that Ireland should acknowledge that generosity, and in particular the effort made by English rugby officials, players, writers and supporters to understand the significance of the occasion to Ireland.
Both countries, it seems, showed their best characteristics to each other. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN J GOGGIN, Stradbally North, Co Limerick.
Madam, - Gary Fitzgerald (March 1st) asks: "Does anyone think that if the sport had been soccer, things would have passed off quite so smoothly?" Yes, I do.
Ireland's soccer supporters have been the standard-bearers for this country's sporting representation throughout the world for decades. Their behaviour is never less than exemplary. Most notably, the Republic of Ireland fans won the Fifa Fair Play Award after their attendance at the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and Korea.
I would also point out that England played against the Republic of Ireland at Landsdowne Road twice in the 1990s and Ireland's fans fully respected the playing of England's anthem on both occasions, just as the Ireland faithful did at Croke Park last Saturday.
Therefore, I believe that it is grossly unfair to suggest that Ireland's soccer fans would behave any differently to their rugby counterparts. - Yours, etc,
ALLAN SWEENEY, Orlagh Wood, Dublin 16.