England’s rugby team is prepared to leave the field if players face racist abuse during their match against Argentina on Saturday, according to captain Jamie George. This stance follows incidents from a previous tour in Argentina where black players Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were subjected to racist remarks. Despite a formal complaint and initiated investigation, those responsible were not identified.
George emphasized that the team has discussed various responses, including potentially walking off the pitch, should similar incidents occur. He underscored that racism has no place in sport and assured that England would take a firm stand against any recurrence of last year’s events. The captain also noted that he consulted with teammates from diverse backgrounds to ensure that any course of action aligns with the views of those directly impacted.
Backing the players, England head coach Steve Borthwick reiterated that discrimination is unacceptable both in rugby and in society at large. The match against Argentina is anticipated to have a hostile atmosphere, with England aiming to conclude their summer campaign positively against an Argentine team that has shown varied performance in the Nations Championship.
England has maintained a strong record against Argentina, winning their last five encounters. However, they are eager to improve after experiencing five losses in their previous six Test matches. The team is determined to end the season on a high note, while also being prepared to address any issues of discrimination decisively.