I AM going to be very un-PC and say something, which too many of us seem afraid to say these days: I am proud to be English.

The reason for this outburst of patriotism is not down to ‘Wills’ turning 21 or news that countries in the euro zone are feeling the pinch, it is down to something a lot better: the England rugby team beating Australia in Australia for the very first time.

To say their achievement is not as important as other news of the day, is to totally undervalue the effort, commitment and pride the team has put in over the past 15 months since they last lost.

Even a couple of years ago, the suggestion England could go down under and beat New Zealand and Australia on their home patch, would have beel laughed at.

But this has happened and this is important because sport is more than a game for many people in this country.

Think back to June last year when the England football team were doing well in the world cup in South Korea and Japan. It was like living in another land.

St George flags draped out of windows, people smiling in the streets, a country united in expectation.

Sport is the one major way countries can promote themselves and their patriotism without throwing missiles at each other. In October, the England rugby team head back to Oz to take part in the Rugby World Cup. Let’s hope they can meet the challenges and win to make us all proud.

MATT RAMSDEN