"Fire him" - Rugby fans shocked by 'disgusting' comments by Ireland international about Marcus Smith

Friday, 23 July 2021 at 16:08

byRugby Rucker

The British & Irish Lions have slammed controversial former Ireland international Neil Francis over an offensive comment he made about fly-half Marcus Smith.

Speaking on the Independent.ie's Left Wing podcast, former Ireland international Francis described late call-up Smith, who was born in the Philippines to a British father and a Filipina mother, as possessing an "Oompa Loompa tan".

"We find the remarks offensive and have written to the Independent to express our deep dissatisfaction," said a Lions spokesperson.

A statement from Smith's club Harlequins read: “Harlequins is disgusted by offensive comments made by an Independent.ie columnist regarding Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith and await a reply regarding the matter.”

FAN REACTIONS:

Max

@maxwheelerr

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I seriously hope @IndoSport fire Neil Francis and absolutely ransack him for his comments about Marcus Smith. What a cock

2:16 PM · Jul 23, 2021

Lions star-studded alternative XV

brown and white delicate modern makeup youtube thumbnail 16 1

BACK-THREE:

15. Liam Williams (Wales)
14. Josh Adams (Wales)
11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

A-P

@rugby_ap

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Not me looking at the Lions team having written a feature on Josh Adams for the first Test’s match-day programme…

Watch on X

9:48 AM · Jul 21, 2021

114

Read 6 replies

CENTRES:

13. Chris Harris (Scotland)
12. Owen Farrell (England)

#rugbyengland

@RugbyEng

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Warren Gatland: 'Potential negativity' around Owen Farrell prevented me from selecting him as Lions captain telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/20… #rugbyunited

8:04 AM · Jul 14, 2021