There’s an inherent danger in becoming a cheerleader for the national team

Checked out the Rugby World Cup semi-finals over the weekend. That’s still going on: did you know that? Yes, the tournament rolls on, even without Ireland being involved.

I noted a . . . controversy would be too strong a term, animated discussion might be more accurate, about Ireland’s exit and the level of criticism, or not, levelled at the team as a result.

This is a hardy annual discussion, or even more frequent than a debate held once a year. It’s one of these arguments where your bias is declared by the terms you use, almost before you get into the substance of your argument: ‘These players are pros, so they should be able to take getting sliced like a rasher when analysed’ versus ‘these guys are representing us so they’re heroes who need to be supported’.