Details of correspondence and government letters on the 1989 rugby tour controversy have been released by the National Archives as part of the 30-year rule.

The Irish government was “outraged” after the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) took part in a rugby event in apartheid South Africa, state papers have revealed.

When Allister Coetzee touched down in Port Elizabeth with his team last Sunday afternoon, he had a spring in his step, and not just from the previous night’s series-levelling victory over Ireland.

NIGEL MELVILLE is remembered as a will-o’-the-wisp, slippery scrum-half from his distinguished playing days and he has lost none of his touch, if one is to judge by the sleight of hand he has attempted in a bid to clear banned Gloucester hooker Chris Fortey for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup tie at Kingsholm.