England and Argentina renew their sporting rivalry tonight as ITV1 broadcasts their latest rugby international in a prime-time free-to-air slot, with kick-off at 8.10pm. The fixture comes just days after the two nations met in a highly charged FIFA World Cup semi-final, a contest that sparked fierce debate both on and off the pitch and fuelled tensions between supporters following the behaviour of Argentina's players, who unfurled a banner claiming the Falklands belongs to them.
Rugby Battle Amidst Football Fallout
Now attention switches from football to rugby, where England head into another emotionally-charged encounter against the Pumas carrying fresh memories of last year's tour to Argentina that was overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse directed at players. Prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour was racially abused by a section of the crowd in San Juan during England's second Test against the Pumas in July last year. Team officials lodged a complaint to World Rugby over the incident, which occurred when the visitors' replacements—including Opoku-Fordjour—were warming up in the first half.
World Rugby later confirmed that an investigation into the incident, which included witness statements and video analysis, had taken place. However, the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) were not able to identify the “five or seven” individuals responsible.
Player Reveals Abuse Details
Speaking publicly about the incident, 21-year-old prop Opoku-Fordjour revealed he was on the receiving end of racial slurs on more than one occasion during England's victory. “When we first started warming up, we had our individual time,” Opoku-Fordjour told the Telegraph. “I was warming up on the floor and there were racial slurs said to me from the crowd while I was warming up. I just ignored it, I was trying to warm up. It was in English. I just ignored it, didn’t tell anyone, and cracked on. I was locked into the game.”
“Then, we started warming up again after about 20 minutes of the match, and there were more racial slurs (from behind the posts). But, this time, the other boys heard it. I asked Bevan (Rodd) ‘have you heard this?’ and he said that he had and then he shouted at them. He said something to them. We were walking back in and then someone told Kev Sinfield. I’m not sure anything else was said after that. It was pretty s---, to be honest.”
Walkout Threat and Anti-Discrimination Protocols
The RFU has made clear that England's squad will not tolerate any repeat of those incidents. Players have discussed the possibility of leaving the field if they are subjected to racist abuse during tonight's Test, in line with rugby's anti-discrimination protocols and the sport's growing determination to tackle abuse wherever it occurs.
ITV's decision to screen the match live on ITV1 between 7.30pm and 10.30pm underlines the anticipation around the fixture. The game will be a precursor to the England football team's third-placed play-off match against France, which kicks off at 10pm on BBC One.
Heightened Scrutiny On and Off the Field
England will hope the focus remains firmly on the rugby as Steve Borthwick's side look to continue their summer tour on a positive note. However, with the lingering fallout from the World Cup clash still dominating sporting conversation and the memory of previous allegations in Argentina fresh in the minds of players and officials, there will inevitably be heightened scrutiny both on and off the field.
