England’s rugby team is considering leaving the field if players face racist abuse during their match against Argentina on Saturday. Team captain Jamie George has highlighted this potential response following incidents on their last tour to Argentina, where black players Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were subjected to racial slurs from the crowd. Although a formal complaint was lodged and an investigation commenced, those responsible for the abuse were not identified.
George stated that the team has deliberated on contingency plans, which include exiting the pitch should similar situations arise. He stressed that racism has no place in sports and assured that England would take a firm stand against any repetition of last year’s occurrences. George also mentioned that he has consulted with teammates from diverse backgrounds to ensure any decisions made are inclusive of the views of those who are directly impacted.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has voiced his support for the players, affirming that any form of discrimination is intolerable within rugby and society as a whole. The team is gearing up for a potentially challenging environment as they aim to close their summer campaign on a high note against an Argentine team that has displayed inconsistent performance in the Nations Championship.
England’s track record against Argentina is strong, with victories in their last five encounters. However, the team is looking to bounce back after a difficult period in which they have suffered five losses in their past six Test matches.