Martin Offiah 'wouldn't support' the banning of Swing Low Sweet Chariot

The Rugby Football Union is undertaking a review into the “historical context” of the song amid the ongoing focus on Black Lives Matters.

It has been a rugby union anthem for years and its popularity at Twickenham is anecdotally linked to 'Chariots' Offiah, who played at the venue in 1987 before switching codes.

He has welcomed the RFU's review into the song - written in the mid-19th century by Wallace Willis, a black slave - but told BBC Five Live: "The song is not really what the issue is here - the issue is about diversity and inclusion.

"I think this is the first step as we progress towards change.

"It's definitely an emotional piece of music, very emotive, it stirs up feelings and that's probably something to do with its history. That history is probably not that well known by a lot of people in the UK.

"I champion the RFU reviewing it, I wouldn't support the banning of such a song. When you do try to ban things like that it just makes the song more divisive.

"If this review leads to the RFU putting a positive spin on this song, engaging with ethnic communities, looking at the rooms where decisions are made in the RFU and addressing those issues, that's what we actually want."

Offiah scored 186 tries in 159 appearances after joining Wigan in a then-record move from Widnes.