March 23.

The national newscast on at least one of the two channels on Monday

included the staggering news that Will Carling had been ''passed over''

for the captaincy of the British Lions rugby squad in favour of Gavin

Hastings. This information came, of course, from London studios.

In the first place the words ''passed over'' suggest that poor old

Will did not deserve to be treated thus. Is there perhaps a perceived

notion in English circles that the captain of the England rugby side has

some sort of divine right to be appointed to captain the Lions?

If so, there remains for Will only the traditional Englishman's course

of action now, i.e. the Carruthers way out -- you know, the silent,

gentlemanly sympathy from his friends as they lay their hands on his

shoulder plus, of course, the knowingly placed service revolver.

In the second place, the captains of Wales and Ireland must also feel

aggrieved. After all, they didn't even get a mention in this important

announcement.

Must those in London constantly clutter up the British news broadcasts

with this pro-English trivia?

Dan Thomas,

274 Paisley Road,

Renfrew.