“We’re not stupid” – Courtney Lawes defends Tom Curry as England forward wades into racism saga

Flanker Courtney Lawes expressed disappointment for his England teammate Tom Curry, believing that Curry was unsupported when he became embroiled in a racism controversy.

The openside player from Sale Sharks had accused South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi of using offensive language during the Rugby World Cup semi-final, specifically referring to him as a ‘white c**t.’

Despite an investigation by World Rugby, they concluded that there was “insufficient evidence” to pursue a case against the hooker.

Presenter Alex Payne queried whether Curry had been “let down” and the Northampton Saints forward said: “I do because he will know it was said to him.

“We’re not stupid. If people are running around saying ‘wit kant’ or whatever they’re saying has been said, that’s completely different to when someone looks in your eyes and tells you something.”

Lawes added: “I spoke to him the day after and I just said: ‘look, you know what happened. You’ve said to the ref: ‘he’s called me this’,’ and that’s that.

“Essentially, that’s all you’ve got to do. You haven’t got to say you have an opinion about what’s happened. You haven’t got to say you feel offended or feel this way or that way.

“Just say what’s happened, state your case and then leave it to whoever wants to take it up. You don’t have to worry about it.

“I was just like, ‘mate, just park it. You don’t have to say a thing other than what has happened to you’.”

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Retiring Wayne Barnes ranks the worst rugby players to referee

#5. Joe Marler (England)

BARNES SAID: ” “He was always a funny one on the field in nice way. You’d be trying to tell him something serious and he’d just want to have a laugh and a joke.

“But he does bring a smile to your face. That is what is unique about our sport, the interaction between players and refs and refs and coaches. It does show our sport off in a good light.”

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Joe Marler facts: 

1. Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
2. After joining the Quins academy in 2008, the prop spent some time on loan to Esher and Worthing
3. He’s been nicknamed Croissant. In his own words, it’s because: “The boys think I have a nose that looks like a French pastry.”
4. Marler was captain for England at U18s level and represented the U20 squad throughout the Junior World Championship in summer 2009
5. He is also one of the hosts of The Joe Marler Show podcast with Tom Fordyce

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