Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach, has expressed a contrasting perspective on the contentious England rugby anthem “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
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Maro Itoje, on the other hand, has revealed his decision to refrain from singing it, emphasising that he does not advocate for preventing fans from singing the anthem at Twickenham.
Recently, the RFU conducted an assessment of the song’s origins, recognising that many supporters were unaware of its historical ties to an American slave spiritual.
“I’m not going to tell people what they should or shouldn’t do but, personally, I won’t sing this song anymore,” he 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.
Farrell said when he was England coach: “It was part of our identity, this is part of English rugby.
“You know, wherever you are around the world with England rugby, you would hear it and you feel like people of the
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2025 Rugby World Cup stadiums confirmed, including Twickenham final
World Rugby also confirmed that Twickenham Stadium will host the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, on Saturday September 2
1. Twickenham (London): Location: London, England
Bio: Twickenham, often referred to as the home of English rugby, stands as an iconic venue with a rich history. Renowned for hosting major rugby events, this historic stadium in southwest London is the perfect setting for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
With a capacity to hold over 80,000 passionate fans, Twickenham promises an electrifying atmosphere that will undoubtedly contribute to the tournament’s excitement and prestige.
2. Stadium of Light (Sunderland): Location: Sunderland, England
Bio: Nestled on the banks of the River Wear, the Stadium of Light is a beacon of sporting passion in the North East. The home of Sunderland A.F.C. transforms into a rugby haven as it proudly hosts the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Boasting a striking modern architecture and a seating capacity of over 49,000, the stadium promises a thrilling experience for fans and players alike.
