The English view: Change in approach and attitude pays dividends

The leprechaun was understandably confused.

“Do I look like an England fan?” the man in the fancy-dress outfit asked police in a thick Irish accent as they questioned him at Stansted Airport early on Saturday morning.

“No,” came the response, “but we aren’t taking any chances.” The level of concern at this potentially volatile fixture was obvious to those of us who crossed the Irish Sea over the weekend.