This method is working fine when linking to a specific page to access a private forum, but I cannot see how to force a logon to anyone using a link from one of the general subscription emails. These seem to be in the form //site_address//forums/topic/topic_name and are generated automatically when an update is made to a topic.
I can edit the 404 page to give a login message, but, I think that by then the originally requested page address has been lost.
Thanks
Fiona