Sir Clive Woodward has had his say on possible Swing Low, Sweet Chariot RFU ban

Rugby News
Saturday, 20 June 2020 at 07:16
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Sir Clive Woodward has joined the debate over England's controversial anthem 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'.
The RFU have launched a review into the ‘historical context’ of the song – which is regularly belted out by England supporters and has its lyrics written on the walls at Twickenham.  

Writing in his column for the Mail Online, Woodward wrote: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’s place in English rugby has never sat well with me.
"In rugby today, it has drunken, beery connotations accompanied by leery hand gestures — and the song has a complex history in the fight against racism.
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’s place in English rugby has never sat well with me. In rugby today, it has drunken, beery connotations accompanied by leery hand gestures — and the song has a complex history in the fight against racism."

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He added: "I do not think anyone is singing it with racist intent but the current perception of the song is complicated and its racial overtones are highlighted, despite its links to the Civil Rights Movement.
"The outcry that banning Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is an example of ‘political correctness gone mad’ misses the point.
"It is about showing solidarity and committing to bettering the game and society."

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LIST | 9 of the Biggest Transfers That Never Happened

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1. David Pocock to Wasps

Hot on the heels of landing fly half Danny Cipriani for next season, Wasps reportedly made an audacious attempt to bring David Pocock to the Premiership in a potential deal that would make the Australia flanker the highest paid rugby player in the world. According to would offer him a package in excess of the £1.4 million. This would have been one of the biggest transfers ever.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: David Pocock of Australia leaves the field during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Australia and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on October 10, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

2. Jonny Wilkinson to Lyon 

French Top 14 club Lyon reportedly sounded out England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson over a potential short-term move back in 2015. Despite reports that Lyon was set to offer the World Cup winning fly-half a deal that would have made him one of the league’s top earners, the former Toulon playmaker ‘politely refused’ the offer. Would have been great to see him do his stuff one more time.
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3. Jonah Lomu to Leeds Tykes

According to the Telegraph, the Yorkshire club were ready to make a third bid to attract All Blacks giant Jonah Lomu to England in 2001 - and offer him the chance to star in Super League and for Leeds Tykes in the Zurich Premiership. They were considering a deal which would see 6ft 5ins Lomu play both rugby codes. A £250,000 a year offer was reportedly on the table but this deal never happened.
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4. Danny Cipriani to Toulon

This deal almost looked guaranteed to happen before the opportunity to rejoin the England fold returned. He instead joined Gloucester and starred for them in his debut season, scooping multiple awards.
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5. Manu Tuilagi to Racing 92

Leicester Tigers’ stalwart Manu Tuilagi looked set to leave Welford Road at the end of the season, having reportedly signed a lucrative contract that will see him play his rugby in the Top 14, according to RugbyPass. However, despite having a tour of the Paris training ground, the powerhouse centre eventually penned a new deal to stay at Tigers.
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Manu Tuilagi of England surges forward amid the presence of Tommaso Allan of Italy during the Guinness Six Nations Round Four match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 9th March 2019. Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

6. Uini Antonio to Saracens

France international prop Uini Antonio reportedly wanted a move to the Gallagher Premiership in 2017 and had contacted European champions Saracens over a possible move to Allianz Park. In the end, Vincent Koch signed a new deal to remain at Sarries, ending their interest in the French powerhouse.

7. Sergio Parisse to Gloucester

Gloucester were linked with Italy star Sergio Parisse back in 2017 when Stade Francais faced an uncertain future due to the possible merger with Racing 92. The Rugby Paper reported that he is on Gloucester's radar but the deal never happened. He's once again been linked with a move to Kingsholm ahead of the 2020/21 Premiership season.
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8. Martin Johnson

The England and Leicester Tigers legend revealed on the 'Building Jerusalem' documentary that he was called by Newcastle Falcons and Richmond when the game went professional in 1996. Despite their big-money offer, the second-row was settled where he was.

9. Damian McKenzie

The All Black fullback was linked with a stunning move to Leicester Tigers prior to the 2018/19 Premiership season. When asked about the transfer the 22-year-old avoided the question but the deal was never complete with him eventually signing a new deal in New Zealand.
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