Madam, – Sadly, on recent evidence, the loud vocal support at rugby internationals once known as the “Lansdowne Roar” is no longer heard in the new Aviva stadium. The encouragement given to the Irish team on Sunday was easily drowned out by the French supporters.
The Irish players deserve better and to go some way towards bringing the roar back, may I suggest the following: 1. Any Irish supporter not displaying an item of green clothing should be directed to an area (with individual armchairs) to watch the match on a big TV screen. The stadium seat could then be allocated to someone properly attired for the occasion. 2. Cheer leaders should be introduced to lead songs and chants that are clearly printed in the programme. (Perhaps the IRFU could run a competition to select these songs). 3. Drinks should not be allowed into the seating area in the stadium. People who want to drink while watching the match should be directed to the many TV bars beside the toilets in the stadium. This will allow supporters to see the match without disruption. 4. How about a "Supporter of the match award"? The prize could be a ticket to all the matches in the season. Of course, the "prawn sandwiches" brigade would not be considered for this award. 5. Fields of Athenryshould be restricted to Munster matches only (ie, once a year).
There must be many other ways of returning to the levels of support that once was the norm in the Lansdowne Road of old. Hopefully the IRFU will lead the way. – Yours, etc,