Ciaran Maher, Corby, Northamptonshire
I am not surprised Scots are reluctant to support England. The answer is for the Scots to win the World Cup themselves; unfortunately, they have to qualify first.
Kevin Osborne, Ewell, Surrey
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I played football in the 1960s and don’t remember a mis- shapen ‘lump of concrete’ (Rob Hughes, last week). The old match ball was made of leather and any deviation in its flight was down to the technique of the player. It seems today’s manufacturers are struggling to produce a lightweight, artificial ball that has the same qualities the traditional ball always had.
Jim Massey, London N11
With all the furore over the England team struggling to perform in the German heat, sections of the British public and media may wish to revisit their criticism of Paula Radcliffe ‘blowing up’ in 110F during the Olympic marathon in Athens.
Gary Martin, via e-mail
My favourite moment of the World Cup to date was when a Serbia & Montenegro player was booked by German referee Markus Merk after trying to persuade him to book a Dutch player after a foul. How refreshing to see a player get his comeuppance for what can only be described as bad sportsmanship.
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Ed Wright, Derby
As a rugby fan, I enjoy the occasional game of football. What makes the oval ball different is that all shapes and sizes can perform with distinction in a sport demanding athleticism; footballers tend to be of a mould, so I was saddened to read Barbara Robinson’s derogatory remarks about Peter Crouch (Letters, last week). Yes, he breaks the mould, but I love watching the big fella play.
Huw Beynon, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
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Stephen Jones’s crocodile tears for Ireland’s defeat by the All Blacks (last week) would not have fooled many. His article was filled with platitudes and weak praise for unlikely recipients. High on the list of reasons Ireland lost is that Eddie O’Sullivan failed to use the bench as any astute international coach would have done.
Liam O’Sullivan, Dublin