Rugby racism

Everything was going well, with a good combination of English and Irish fans in the pub and a good level of banter all round. The Irish sang along to the Irish rugby anthem. When the English anthem came on, my boyfriend, along with the handful of other English fans there, sang along.

They were cut short as the sound level was dropped, completely muting the English anthem. A few confused heads looked around. Over the speaker system a Scottish man said: "Come on Ireland!" and a loud cheer came from the back room of the pub.

It was clear that the English fans were not welcome. This was further emphasised when one of the bar tenders wouldn't serve my boyfriend. Another bartender stepped in and apologised for this, but the point had been made clear.

Some may claim this isn't racism but banter between two nations with a long history. However, growing up in the Republic of Ireland has taught me that it's this level of "banter" which protects and encourages a far more dangerous element. Not allowing another nation to listen to its national anthem being played during a sporting event crosses a line and when this happens, someone needs to stand up and say it is not right.

LARA WALSH

Comely Bank Road

Edinburgh