RFU to consult with players, fans and sponsors on ‘Swing Low’

The Rugby Football Union is to conduct a consultation with England players, fans, sponsors and business partners as part of its review into the singing of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot at Twickenham, The Daily Telegraph understands. Use of branding, signage and merchandising featuring lyrics from the song, which has been sung at Twickenham since the Eighties, will also be included. The review, to be carried out by the RFU’S executive committee, will involve input from current and former black England players, as well as across both the professional and community departments of the governing body.

Any recommendations will be put to the board of directors for approval, with any changes to branding expected to be in place before England’s next match at Twickenham in November.

The RFU has already withdrawn all its social media that draws on the song and its second line, “Carry me Home”. The moniker has been used across official marketing and media channels, and around Twickenham, to drum up support for England teams since 2014.

Banning the song, which was written around 1865 by a former slave, Wallace Willis, has been ruled out, however, with the emphasis on educating supporters about its historical context.

Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the RFU, confirmed on Tuesday that he would no longer sing it.

“My own personal point of view, and I used to sing it a lot in the Seventies, is that I wouldn’t sing it,” he said.

It is understood the RFU is also considering the implementation of a range of initiatives to address the lack of diversity across the game.

The RFU currently has only one black member on its 61-strong council, The Daily Telegraph columnist Maggie Alphonsi, a former England Women international.

It is now aiming to attract at least 30 per cent of all new members to the RFU council from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Meanwhile, Sweeney said the RFU has received interest from “two prestigious companies” in its search for a new backer for its top-flight women’s tier.

The Premier 15s was left without a league sponsor when Tyrrells ended its support last month, weeks after the season was voided. The competition, which is unlikely to start up again until September at the earliest, is said to be a “major strategic priority” to the RFU.