'Disgusting’: Ireland on racist abuse aimed at young forward
SPOTLIGHT: The Six Nations should be centre stage. Instead, rugby once again finds itself confronting an old and ugly stain on the game.
This time, the abuse was aimed at Ireland forward Edwin Edogbo.
The 23-year-old Munster lock was the subject of online racial abuse after coming on as a replacement in last weekend’s 20-13 Six Nations victory in Dublin.
The Irish Rugby Football Union is now investigating the incident, while head coach Andy Farrell did not hide his disgust.
Born and raised in County Cork to Nigerian parents, Edogbo has emerged as one of Munster’s most promising young forwards – a powerful, athletic presence in the second row.
Against Italy, he showed glimpses of his potential in a high-pressure championship environment.
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“First and foremost, it’s all about the player – nothing but how he is and how it’s affecting him, or not,” Farrell told reporters on Thursday after naming his team for Saturday’s match away to England.
“We’ve had the conversation, and he’s fine, thankfully. But it’s obviously disgusting. There’s no need for it in society.
“I didn’t read it. I don’t want to read it. I don’t want to give people anything to even think that I’m commenting on some of the stuff that has been said, really, because they certainly don’t deserve that.
“We met his family last week – his mother, his two brothers and his sister. His father couldn’t make it because he works all hours God sends as an A&E [accident and emergency] nurse down in Cork, which says it all.
“He’s made of the right stuff, and that’s why he’s able to just crack on and ignore all the BS.”
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Edogbo has not been included in the matchday 23 for Twickenham.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan continue as the starting locks, while there is no recognised second-row option on Ireland’s bench, Tadhg Beirne, who starts at blindside flanker, can cover the position.
“But as far as I’m concerned, Edwin’s fine. He’s strong. He’s been brought up in the right way.
“We’ve got some good players who are used to pushing in the scrum in the second row,” Farrell said.
“Any type of unit like Edwin is going to be quite dominant in that department. I suppose the occasion, when you’re coming on as a new-ish player in a big game like that at Twickenham – are you going to have it in your legs in the last 10 minutes or not?
“There’s a difference there in that regard, but I suppose Joe McCarthy’s big enough and strong enough. We’ve certainly got a determined pack this week to make sure that that area is attacked by us.”
Additional source: Rugbypass and PA Sport
