The England team kneeled before its match against Scotland on Saturday. The latest act of solidarity with players in the NFL supporting the players’ right to protest comes in response to the kneeling of NFL players during the national anthem.
On Sunday, the two English teams who appeared to have been contemplating team-wide protests under current captain Chris Robshaw, the head coach Eddie Jones of Japan’s Vissel Kobe, and the England rugby union team were vocal in their condemnation of the football players who have taken a knee to protest police violence in the U.S.
Robshaw was asked about the NFL’s response to the actions of the pro football players.
“I’ve got nothing to do with the American game. We’re just trying to do our jobs in the best way we can. I think there’s plenty of players and people in the wider public who see what we’re doing and see that there’s something we can all agree on. I think this is the right thing to do.”
What irked Jones, however, was what was mentioned about the impact the protests have had on England’s captain.
“I think everyone understands that he’s meant to be our captain and everything. I feel like everyone understands exactly what’s been going on.”
You can hear the full exchange in the below video.
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The timing of the move by England matches was interesting, seeing as it falls at the start of a stretch in which the teams play France, Australia, South Africa and the All Blacks.