Heineken Cup - Blue and red but green all over

COLE Porter wrote about precisely this kind of thing 70 years ago: red, hot and blue.

Tomorrow’s Heineken Cup semi-final between Munster and Leinster promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime clash, with the country separating neatly into two factions. You’re either a member of the red army of Munster or the blue hordes supporting Leinster. One or the other. Neutrality is not an option.

The fact that most of the Irish rugby team that won this year’s Triple Crown will be on show only adds to the anticipation. Frankly, the nation hasn’t been this divided since Roy Keane came home from Saipan, but this civil war comes with a neat resolution, at least - hostilities cease at about 5pm tomorrow.