England’s Courtney Lawes wants racists in rugby union named and shamed

The England captain Courtney Lawes believes “unacceptable” racist behaviour must be stamped out of rugby and those responsible named and shamed following last week’s shocking revelations by his former teammate Luther Burrell.

Lawes, who is only the second black player to captain the England men’s side, admitted he was shocked to read Burrell’s alarming testimony in an interview with the Mail on Sunday, in which he said racism was rife within the sport. Burrell said that he had been subjected to “racial banter” by teammates including comments about slavery, bananas and fried chicken and being called the N-word when greeted.

Lawes revealed he had experienced racism aged 16 when in the academy at Northampton – who have insisted the abuse Burrell received did not occur during his time at the club – but has not done so since and he does not agree it is rife in the sport.

Burrell ended his two-year spell at Newcastle at the end of the season – the Falcons have since launched an internal investigation – while both the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby have reached out and apologised. Burrell has said that he would “never name names” and chose to talk about his experiences to bring about change, but in the aftermath the RFU has come under pressure to take wider action.

“I read the article and I was shocked about the stuff that’s been said to Luther because at most clubs – knowing the boys from different clubs who come into the England camp – it just wouldn’t be accepted,” said Lawes, who leads England in Saturday’s first Test against Australia in Perth. “It’s not even a joke, that kind of stuff. It’s way beyond that. I’m feeling for him and I’m not sure what’s going on up there, but it’s absolutely not acceptable.

“ I’m