Madam, - Despite the disappointment of Ireland's Rugby World Cup capitulation to France in Paris, it was, nevertheless, refreshing to see a sporting event where the players demonstrated such obvious respect for the referee and the rules of the game.
At various points during the match the players could be heard to address the referee as "Sir". When Paul O'Connell was sent to the "sin bin" there was no protest from the Irish captain or his players despite the huge implications of that decision. And when Ronan O'Gara dared to use a swear word he was instantly and effectively rebuked by the referee.
It is this respect for manners and authority which separates rugby from soccer, which is increasingly notable for the foul language and abusive behaviour of its players - nowhere more evident than at Old Trafford on Sunday when the Chelsea and England captain, John Terry, attempted physically to prevent the referee from issuing a red card to one of his players.
The great shame is that, in terms of popularity, the relative dignity of rugby cannot compete with the moral vacuum of global soccer. - Yours etc,
DAMIAN BRUCE, Hazelwood, Shankill, Dublin 18.
Madam, - Just for fun, and since it's unlikely to make much difference either way, why not put Eddie O'Sullivan in charge of the health service and give Brendan Drumm the Irish rugby squad? - Yours, etc,
B. McCARTAN, Dublin 6.
Madam, - The Rugby World Cup has, so far, provided us with some excellent excitement and entertainment. The atmosphere in the stadiums is almost palpable, even for TV viewers.
The sense of national pride is immense and when the teams line up behind the flag of their country and sing their national anthem it brings a tear to many an eye.
Then we come along, line up behind a bizarre patchwork quilt supposedly representing our four provinces with the IRFU logo thrown in for good measure, and sing a meaningless ditty by Phil Coulter.
What an embarrassment - and all but impossible to explain to anybody outside Ireland. Fielding a so-called united Ireland team is a fine dream, but shouldn't we wait until such a "political entity" exists?
If the players from Ulster do not wish to stand for Amhrán na bhFiann and walk behind the Tricolour, because they are British subjects that is fine, even understandable, but why are they accommodated in a way that gives offence to so many Irish citizens?
The soccer associations have got it right. - Yours, etc,
BARRY COFFEY, Beaulieu sur Mer, France.
Madam, - What a sorry lot we have purporting to represent Ireland at the Rugby World Cup. No flag, no anthem and no pride! If there is such a thing as "Ireland's Call", it should be calling them back before they bring more disgrace on the nation. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN P. Ó CINNÉIDE, Durban, South Africa.
Madam, - Looking back on last Friday's big game between Ireland and France, I was much taken aback by the demeanour of the players during the preliminaries.
Never before have I seen such a level of stress, tension and intense anxiety, bordering almost on terror, displayed on the human face. Was it possible, I asked myself, that these young men were merely going out to play a game of football? Surely this was how the gladiators of ancient Rome used to look immediately before their meeting with some particularly ill-natured lions.
It was a good game and the best side won, but am I really hopelessly old-fashioned and out of touch in my nostalgia for the days when sport really meant sport, and losing a good match wasn't the end of the world? Come on people, it really is only a game! - Yours, etc,
MAURICE BOWLES, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
Madam, - I'm sure the nurses and doctors who are about to lose their jobs in Sligo are delighted to learn that it took not one, but two trips for the Government jet to ferry our politicians to the rugby match in Paris. - Yours, etc,
(Mrs) CARMEL KENNEDY, Mount Saint Anne's, Milltown, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Les hommes versus na buachaillí bó. - Yours, etc,
OLIVER ROGERS, Rahardrum, Virginia, Co Cavan.