Irish rugby team drawn from North and South

TOM COOPER refers to the non-use of the Tricolour and Amhrán na bhFiann at the Rugby World Cup as a “reprehensible, unpatriotic act” (Letters, October 8). Patriotism is defined as the love of one’s country — but this country was not playing in the World Cup, it was a mixture of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The IRFU represents all 32 counties.

Mr Cooper says the players should have refused to play, as they had an obligation “to defend the honour and sovereignty of Ireland”. What if Ulster had a strong team and a majority of the team were unionists, would he demand God Save the Queen as the anthem?

Mr Cooper also says that to change the flag and anthem in anticipation of a united Ireland was wrong. However, they have not been changed, that’s the way it has always been.