WHEN the newly minted England squad gathers tomorrow for a five-day training camp ahead of the summer internationals, players will be addressed on the issue of social media following the storm that hit cricket this month.
The 34-strong squad contains 21 uncapped players with most of them in the formative years of their careers.
Ollie Robinson was last week suspended from international cricket days after making his England debut at Lord’s when racist and sexist Tweets he posted aged 18 and 19, in 2012 and 2013, were revealed.
Since then, other England cricketers have had to account for messages they wrote years ago and the concern in all sports is that those involved at the top level will now have their social media accounts scrutinised.
“We always remind the squad of their responsibilities as England players at the start of each camp,” said an RFU spokesperson. “We also share with them ways we can support them in making their use of social media a positive and enjoyable experience.”
Last year, the Argentina Rugby Union suspended three players, including captain Pablo Matera, after a number of offensive tweets posted years before were published.
“I am very ashamed,” said Matera, who had a stint with Leicester, at the time. “I’m sorry to everyone for the barbarisms I wrote.”
The suspension lasted only a couple of days after a backlash in Argentina, although none was picked for the Test against Australia at the end of that week to “shield them after they were subject to a lot of hate”.
World Rugby is maintaining a watching brief. It regularly reminds member Unions to be proactive over social media and warn players of the dangers of posting messages when they have had too much to drink or are feeling overwrought. The Rugby Players’ Association offers mandatory social media training.
And the RFU, along with Premiership Rugby, earlier this year joined football and other sports in boycotting social media in a stand against racism and discrimination after players found themselves targets of abuse.
In 2019, the Australian Rugby Union terminated the contract of Wallaby full-back Israel Folau after he ignored an order not to make homophobic posts. England No.8 Billy Vunipola was warned by his club Saracens for liking the message.
By PAUL REES
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