Maro Itoje has declared his choice to refrain from participating in the rendition of the England rugby anthem "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."
Nevertheless, he affirms that he does not endorse the notion of forbidding fans from singing it at Twickenham.
The RFU conducted an assessment of the song, which has its roots in an American slave spiritual. The examination acknowledged that many supporters were oblivious to its historical beginnings.
In a statement, the RFU said: "The RFU has stated it will not ban Swing Low, Sweet Chariot as it has a long-held place in rugby history however, the Union will use its social media and event audiences to proactively educate fans on the history and provenance of the song as well as providing platforms for diverse voices across the game."
“I’m not going to tell people what they should or shouldn’t do but, personally, I won’t sing this song anymore,” Itoje said when speaking with French newspaper L’Equipe..
“I sang it before when I was naive and didn’t know its origins but, knowing now the context in the creation of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, it’s not an anthem that I’m going to repeat anymore.”
It is believed the song was first sung at Twickenham when Martin “Chariots” Offiah featured at the 1987 Middlesex Sevens tournament. In 1988 it became popular among England supporters when Chris Oti scored a hat-trick against Ireland.
The song’s origins are rooted in US slavery, however, and it is believed to have been written by the American slave Wallace Willis around the 1860s.
If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
Maro Itoje will NOT sing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' ever again due to its origins in American slavery - as England star admits 'I sang it before when I was naive but it's not an anthem that I'm going to repeat any more' appurl.io/t3rKW0HLih