Rugby Union Sep 12, 2026

England captain Jamie George will lead team off field in Argentina if racial abuse resurfaces

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
England captain Jamie George will lead team off field in Argentina if racial abuse resurfaces

Jamie George has threatened to lead his England team off the pitch against the Pumas on Saturday if there is a recurrence of the racial abuse that marred their last appearance in Argentina.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were targeted by a small group of fans when warming up with their fellow replacements during the first half of England's 22-17 victory in San Juan a year ago.

A World Rugby investigation concluded that an act of racial discrimination had taken place and the Argentine Rugby Union has provided assurances that it was a one-off episode.

If a similar incident does unfold at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, George insists England are ready to take matters into their own hands - including by returning to the changing room.

"It's something being considered," the captain said. "If anything like that happened then it deserves the strongest of reactions. There is no place for that in the world and I feel incredibly strongly about that.

"We've had discussions around 'what if?'. I really hope - and I'm optimistic - that the Argentinian Rugby Union has taken it very seriously. At the same time we've got a plan B if that doesn't happen.

"The first thing we'd do is make the referee aware of what we've seen so it can be properly logged and all the protocols can go into play. What we do outside of that we're still deciding."

George is consulting with those members of England's squad with mixed heritage before determining what action to take, including Opoku-Fordjour, who is included on the bench for the climax to the July tour.

"It's something I will remember for the rest of my life when I heard what had happened - and it wasn't directed at me," said George, who was a late withdrawal from the starting XV in San Juan after being called up for the Lions tour to Australia but was present for the game.

"It was directed at my team-mates and I care about my team-mates more than anything.

"I will continue to have conversations with a select group of players from different ethnic backgrounds and we will come up with a plan.

"Asher's obviously aware of what's coming and he's had conversations with a few of the other guys. I'm going to him because this isn't just my call to make - the abuse wasn't aimed at me."

England have won all five of their meetings with Argentina in the Steve Borthwick era, including their most recent clash at Allianz Stadium in November when flanker Tom Curry was involved in a tunnel bust-up with Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi.

"It's a big rivalry now," George said. "We look at Argentina on the calendar whenever the fixtures come out and we know it will be a special occasion.

"On the field we're very aware that when we play Argentina they're an incredibly proud nation and it's going to be hostile.

"They're going to be desperate to win, especially on their own turf."

Tags:

rugby-union news

Share this article

Related Posts

Scott Hastings: Scottish rugby great and former British and Irish Lions centre dies aged 61

Scott Hastings: Scottish rugby great and former British and Irish Lions centre dies aged 61

Scottish rugby great Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61.The British and Irish Lions centre won 65 caps in an 11-year Test career that began in 1...

Women's Six Nations: How England's Red Roses defied the odds to create more history with Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux

Women's Six Nations: How England's Red Roses defied the odds to create more history with Grand Slam triumph in Bordeaux

Pregnancies, injuries, scepticism and the small matter of a Grand Slam decider on foreign soil.The Red Roses had to navigate it all during the 2026 Si...

Northampton reach Gallagher Prem final with fine win over East Midlands rivals Leicester at Franklin's Gardens

Northampton reach Gallagher Prem final with fine win over East Midlands rivals Leicester at Franklin's Gardens

Northampton claimed East Midlands bragging rights and a place in the Gallagher Prem final after eventually subduing Leicester in a thrilling 45-31 vic...

Gallagher Prem: Tom Wills crowned Prem player of the season ahead of Bordeaux switch

Gallagher Prem: Tom Wills crowned Prem player of the season ahead of Bordeaux switch

Saracens number eight Tom Willis has been crowned Gallagher Prem player of the season for 2025-26 ahead of his move to Bordeaux.Willis came out top in...

Henry Pollock: Eddie Hearn says England star is worth £1m per-year deal amid contract talks with Northampton

Henry Pollock: Eddie Hearn says England star is worth £1m per-year deal amid contract talks with Northampton

England star Henry Pollock is expected to seek a significant pay rise to remain at Northampton after agent Eddie Hearn said he is worth at least £1m a...

WRU confirm Scarlets or Ospreys to be cut by start of 2028/29 season

WRU confirm Scarlets or Ospreys to be cut by start of 2028/29 season

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed it will cut one of its four men's professional teams from the 2028/29 season.The WRU says one of its teams will be...