Identity crisis putting rugby side off its game

THE controversy surrounding the IRFU’s decision to dispense with the national anthem and flag goes further than the stated effort to accommodate players from the North.

The identity of the Irish rugby team has become so diluted it hardly stands for anything at all. It seems the IRFU operates as if Ireland were still a united country within the UK.

After all, the Triple Crown is a trophy contested between the three ‘kingdoms’ of Ireland, Scotland and England/Wales.

The British Lions team is only called the British and Irish Lions in Ireland. Throughout the rugby world, this team is rightly considered the British Lions as it was formed to represent players from the so-called British Isles.

During last year’s Six Nations competition, Keith Wood referred to Ireland as a “home nation”, ie, a nation within the UK. All these examples point to a lack of identity within the Irish team and the Irish rugby establishment as a whole. Fake flags and anthems are one thing, but while this identity crisis exists, how can we expect the national team to excel in international competition?

Gordon Kennedy

97 Botanic Road

Glasnevin

Dublin 9