Courtney Lawes has indicated that Luther Burrell suffered racist abuse during his time at Newcastle Falcons by suggesting he’s ‘not sure what’s going on up there’.
Attempting to shift suspicion from his own club Northampton Saints, where Burrell was his teammate for many years, Lawes has called for the players to be identified.
“I’m with (Ellis) Gengey – I think the person or people who are doing that need to be outed, because it’s just not acceptable in our game, at this point in time.” said Lawes during an interview with The Telegraph.
He added: “Maybe I’m fortunate, I’ve only been at Saints and the only time I’ve ever experienced racism there was when I was 16 there, coming through the academy,
“Since then, honestly, it’s just not even thought about at the club. I had a problem with him (Burrell) saying that racism is rife in rugby. If I’m honest, that’s not been my experience. But if that kind of stuff is going on in certain clubs, it needs to be addressed.’
“We don’t want things like that going on in the game. That’s why I was surprised that at any club, any colour of player would accept that kind of behaviour. From my experience at Saints, it wouldn’t take me or Luds (Lewis Ludlam) or anyone like that to pull it up – it would be pulled up by the team, or whoever heard it at the time.
“It’s disappointing, but what’s good is that, from my experience, I haven’t heard of many players going through that. It’s not happening everywhere, which is a good thing.
‘We need to squash this. We need to find out what is happening and if it’s happening at any other clubs. We need to get it sorted.”
Lawes has previously got into race discussions, declaring that England is not a racist country in the middle of what was then a politically tense environment.
This led to an infamous run-in with popular Youtuber Squidge Rugby.
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England players wives and girlfriend arrive in Australia
A number of England internationals wives and girlfriends have arrived in Australia ahead of the mens three-match series against the Wallabies.
#1. Hollie Shearer – Girlfriend of Joe Marchant
The daughter of the all-time Premier League top goalscorer and England legend Alan, has confirmed she is dating Harlequins and England centre earlier this year.
The 25-year old singer has shared numerous shots with the popular speedster, who has represented his country four times.
Photos shared across social media suggest Hollie’s relationship with the 26-year-old is still in its early stages.