England captain Jamie George has confirmed that the team is prepared to abandon their upcoming match against Argentina if any players are subjected to racial abuse. The hooker, who is set to earn his 111th cap, stated that the squad has discussed a contingency plan following incidents during last year’s encounter in San Juan, where teammates Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were targeted.
While World Rugby condemned the previous behavior, no individuals were held accountable. George expressed deep concern, noting that while the team hopes the Argentinian Rugby Union has implemented safeguards, they are ready to act decisively. The initial step would involve notifying the referee to ensure official protocols are triggered, followed by further measures if necessary.
The atmosphere in Santiago del Estero is expected to be intense, exacerbated by recent sporting tensions between the two nations. George, leading the side in place of the rested Maro Itoje, emphasized that protecting his teammates is his primary concern. He continues to consult with players from diverse backgrounds to finalize their stance, maintaining that there is zero tolerance for racism in the sport.
