Rugby News Six Nations 2023
As Wales scored their first Six Nations try of this year, Sir Tom Jones’ controversial stadium classic ‘Delilah’ rang out in the Principality’s stadium.
Just last week, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) asked the London Welsh Male Voice Choir to remove ‘Delilah’ from their playlist because of disturbing lyrics.
The ban ahead of the Six Nations first round came amid allegations of sexism, bullying and racism within the governing body.
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WRU chief executive Steve Phillips has resigned after the publication of a BBC documentary in which allegations of a toxic culture within the organization were made.
In the documentary, the choir was shown rehearsing the controversial song, prompting WRU officials to make the call.
The 1968 song contains lyrics that are “problematic and upsetting to some supporters”, according to the WRU.
That didn’t stop the 74,500 home crowd from singing the ballad shortly after half-time in Cardiff, in a 34-10 loss to Ireland for the home side.
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“Just as the second half began – and, fittingly, in the seconds that followed, the booming tunes on the tannoy had thankfully died down – ‘so the light in the night I walked past his window’ was reverberating under the roof,” wrote the Telegraph. James Corrigan.
“Wales actually scored their first – and only – try as the catchy rendition was underway.”
The ban on ‘Delilah’ comes at a time when the Welsh Rugby Union finds itself in turmoil.
In reality, the song’s ban is just the tip of the iceberg for the governing body and is seen as just a bandage for its much more disturbing and deep-rooted problem.
Even the group of players saw through the thinly veiled facade, Louis Rees-Zammit tweeting, “All the things they have to do and they do it first…”
On the contrary, the WRU achieved the completely opposite outcome to their desired intent as the song echoed through the streets of Cardiff ahead of kick-off.
“No doubt there will be many who will find it absurd that the protest song about a union embroiled in a sexism scandal is about a jealous lover killing his cheating girlfriend, and they’re probably right that it would be preferable for the Stadium and its support to go elsewhere for their anthems,” added Corrigan.
“But as much as this rhythmic rebellion seemed like a reaction to awakening, it was also an uplifting uprising against a governing body that is clearly in chaos.”
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