Stand up for the Ulster men – give them a Northern Ireland Commonwealth rugby team to match England Wales and Scotland!

As an avid Ulster and Ireland rugby fan, I feel aggrieved and let down (once again) at the start of the mighty Commonwealth Games.

The games allow 56 countries from all around the world to compete and challenge in a wide range of sports in what is known as the ‘friendly games’ – colour, creed, religion; it doesn’t matter. What matters is the high level of sport and competition.

So why do I feel aggrieved and let down?

Well, my country, Northern Ireland, established in 1921, does not have a rugby team in the Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile England, Scotland and Wales compete against Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and other top teams in this great competition.

This is unacceptable, and is denying the hundreds of thousands of Northern Ireland rugby fans the right to support our wee country in the Commonwealth Games.

I wish to know why. In 2022, this is unfair and unreasonable.

We in Northern Ireland support the ‘men in green’ for the Six Nations 100%, and value and cherish the four provinces playing as one, shoulder to shoulder. However in the unique Commonwealth Games, with Northern Ireland having a large team in so many sports, why shouldn’t we have a Rugby 7s team?

It has to happen in 2026. Stand up for the Ulstermen!

Mr EJ Johns, Waringstown

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