A tough task tackling rugby’s national question

Nkosi sikalel’ iAfrika, which we heard in Dublin six days ago, is basically two songs mingled to make up South Africa’s beautiful national anthem and its status as a unifying number for the Rainbow Nation is confirmed by the five languages used in its delivery.

Add in Ireland’s Call and Amhrán na bhFiann last Saturday at the Aviva and what we had was, effectively, four different anthems, seven languages and 311 words sung with pride and gusto and with Richardt Strauss’ effort ‘as gaeilge’ stealing the show before he represented his adopted country against that of his birth and upbringing.

One can only applaud Strauss for that performance but the sight of the Leinster hooker and Kiwi Michael Bent wearing the shamrock on the world stage didn’t meet with universal approval even if their displays suggested both may well prove to be very handy operators at the coal face in the years to come.