THE march of Chris Coleman's Wales to France 2016 is sure to intensify the age-old, tedious debate about what is the national sport.

There is an obsession with pitting football and rugby off against each other when both can quite happily co-exist.

Yet the discussion was re-ignited last month when Laura McAllister, chair of Sport Wales, said that qualifying for the Euros would have a bigger impact on the nation than winning the World Cup this autumn.

She did stress that ideally both would be achieved and said: "They are not mutually exclusive, and there is no need for a destructive rivalry between our two national sports".

But the comments were lapped up in some quarters (note it was at a time when Swansea, Cardiff, Newport County, Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, the Scarlets and the Ospreys had all finished their seasons) with the inevitable 'which matters most to the people, X says rugby and Y says football' pieces.

But creating such conflict is unhelpful at a time when any sporting success needs to be lauded and activity promoted.

The London 2012 legacy lie has been further exposed by Sport England data showing that participation numbers have plummeted with only 35.5 per cent of over-16s playing at least 30 minutes of sport at moderate intensity at least once a week.

As a sporting nation Wales punches above its weight at elite level. Diversity and not specialising too early should be key to maintaining that.

With the power of practice lauded there is always danger that talented youngsters can be pressured into giving up other sports in a bid to thrive in a chosen one.

That risks mental and physical burnout and take away fun whereas an eclectic mix can increase enjoyment and develop social and technical skills that can be transferred.

A promotional video by 3, sponsors of both Irish football and rugby, was put out last week featuring Everton right-back Seamus Coleman and Connacht centre Robbie Henshaw. Both men extolled the virtues of growing up playing Gaelic football and the former has previously said the sport is behind his success since heading over to England.

"I think some of my Gaelic experience has been useful here," he said.

"It's a harder game for a start. If you get pushed you get straight back up. You don't roll around looking at the referee for a free-kick and you wouldn't get one if you did in Gaelic.

"It's a fight – nothing too serious, but it is pure determination and I think I brought that with me here. I just had to play soccer the way I played Gaelic and thankfully it has worked out."

So hopefully triumphant Welsh teams can inspire talent to enjoy both rugby and football along with other sports.

Rather than worrying unduly about the rise of Coleman's team up the world rankings, rugby must keep its own house in order and provide their own success stories.

To that end hopefully a more civil relationship between the Welsh Rugby Union and Pro Rugby Wales will enable Newport Gwent Dragons, the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets to build and thrive.