The Irish rugby team should wear rainbow numbers this weekend against Australia in Brisbane following controversial comments by Israel Folau about gay people in recent weeks.
The move would follow on from a similar gesture by the Republic of Ireland football team, who wore multi-coloured numbering in the recent friendly win over the USA, in solidarity with the LGBT community to make the start of Pride month.
🇮🇪ðŸ³ï¸ðŸŒˆ #IRLUSA #Pride pic.twitter.com/zgWZptSmqp
— FAIreland âš½ï¸ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ª (@FAIreland) June 2, 2018
There has been a media storm in Australia ever since Folau wrote on Instagram that God's plan for gay people was: "HELL... Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God".
The outburst led to star flanker, David Pocock, an ardent supporter of marriage equality, confronting Folau about his comments privately but later admitting that despite their differences - the two men could play on the same team.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Pocock said: "There are certainly people who feel that radical inclusivity doesn't fit in their world-view or beliefs. I'm sympathetic to that, having grown up in those kinds of faith communities, but I strongly disagree and I think blaming people for who they are can be really damaging.
"Having Australia's best rugby player using his platform like that has the potential to really harm young people who are going through some pretty rough stuff trying to come to terms with their sexuality...the fact there are still no footballers in Australia who are openly 'out', that says plenty about current sports culture and our society."
Despite Pocock's intervention, Folau's comments have been seen in the country as a set-back for the LGBT community and a gesture by the Irish rugby team would surely be welcomed.
Australia became the 25th country to legalise same-sex marriage last December.
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