16 MARCH 1996, Page 23

Bogus nationalism

Sir: For an Englishman of partly Scottish descent, this anti-English business, as described by Alan Cochrane (`Flower of Thatcherism', 2 March) is a bit of a pain. On the merits of this season's Five Nations games so far, one would have been tempted to support Scotland to beat England last Saturday. However, the bogus nationalism manufactured by the Scots for rugby match- es is so irritating that one always wants England to beat, and preferably humiliate Scotland, by whatever means.

Richard Miles

Blechingley, Surrey