Maro Itoje has revealed that the origins of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot make him feel ‘uncomfortable’ but has serious doubts over whether the England rugby song should be banned.
He told the BBC: ‘The context in which it was originally sung was with African American individuals where they were singing it as a song to try and give them strength, give them hope.
‘What makes me uncomfortable was its introduction with it being a song for Martin Offiah, with it being sung for Chris Oti, which are obviously two black players who played the game at Twickenham.
‘It’s a great opportunity to educate people about the context of that song.’
He added: ‘I’m not too sure if banning works because you can’t really regulate what comes out of people’s mouths but I think people should be educated about the background of the song and it will then be down to any individual if they want to sing it or not.’
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British & Irish Lions predicted 2021 starting XV according to the bookies
You can view the full odds from Paddy Power HERE.
Odds are accurate on Wednesday, 22nd April 2020, 8am, and are subject to change.
Fullback: LIAM WILLIAMS (Wales 4/7)
Other contenders: Stuart Hogg (Scotland 4/6), Jordan Larmour (Ireland EVS), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales 5/1), George Furbank (England 7/2)
Left wing: JONNY MAY (England 1/25)
Other contenders: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland 1/3), Adam Radwan (England 40/1), Jack Nowell (England 11/4), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales 13/8)
Outside-centre: JONATHAN DAVIES (Wales 1/3)
Other contenders: Henry Slade (England 5/6), Garry Ringshow (Ireland 4/6), Jonathan Joseph (England 13/8), Chris Harris (Scotland 20/1), Huw Jones (Scotland 6/1)
Inside-centre: MANU TUILAGI (England 1/3)
Other contenders: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland 5/6), Hadleigh Parkes (Wales 5/4), Sam Johnson (Scotland 9/2)
Right wing: JOSH ADAMS (Wales 1/18)
Other contenders: Anthony Watson (England 4/6), George North (Wales 2/1), Elliot Daly (England 10/11), Joe Cokanasiga (England 3/1), Keith Earls (Ireland 9/2)
