1 APRIL 2006, Page 35

Why England swings low

From Robert Low

Sir: Frank Keating (Sport, 25 March) wonders why ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ caught on as the England rugby supporters’ anthem. It came about during the England v. Ireland match at Twickenham in 1988 when Chris Oti, England’s black winger making his Twickenham debut, scored three tries. Some of the crowd started singing ‘Swing Low’ to celebrate. They meant well, though I am sure I was not alone in thinking it toe-curlingly embarrassing to sing a negro spiritual in such circumstances. However, Oti seemed totally unbothered and from then on the Twickenham crowd sang the song whenever a try was scored, which became a lot more often as we entered a golden age of English rugby.

Robert Low London NW6