Wales rugby coach Steve Tandy must have the most difficult job in sport, apart maybe from Jim Ratcliffe’s public–relations whizz. In a Churchillian moment, Tandy has called for national unity after Wales were humiliated by a sublime France in front of their lowest Six Nations home crowd in Cardiff. But here is a simpler solution. Ditch those red shorts. Wales have always played in red shirts and white shorts and who wears red shorts away from the beach? It might sound like a footling point, but it is symptomatic of the ease with which great national organisations are willing to turn their backs on their past, doubtless at the say-so of a few kids from marketing rifling through a laptop.

Winter sports people are so admirable. Everyone can see how risky it all is

Winter sports people are so admirable. Everyone can see how risky it all is

Anyway, all who care about rugby must wish Tandy well. Rugby needs a strong Wales, just like football needs a high-performing Manchester United. But some of the eternal rugby verities remain,........

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