By Adam Crafton for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:32 BST, 12 April 2019 | Updated: 22:32 BST, 12 April 2019
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Sack him. Ban them. Anything, really, to distance it all from us.
The instant response to Israel Folau and Billy Vunipola is one of justified outrage and frustration. Yet in 2019, the urge is for recriminations when concerted education is needed. To ostracise individuals from society does not resolve the problem. It only makes it somebody else's problem.
Rugby Australia had issued a previous warning to Folau and following his latest invective, his sacking was inevitable.
Billy Vunipola could face a ban from rugby after expressing homophobic views on Instagram
Yet in the case of Billy Vunipola, the RFU and Saracens should sense opportunity rather than crisis. This is his first offence and it is time to reach out, rather than push away.
Vunipola's intervention into Israel Folau's homophobia row in Australia is hurtful and harmful to the LGBT community. Vunipola defended Folau's assertion that gay people are destined for Hell. Vunipola refers to gay relations as 'trespassing' and argues that God takes a dim view of same sex relations. Many companies would view this as grounds for dismissal.
For the most generous understanding of Vunipola's post, we must return to his roots. He grew up in Sydney but more crucially Vunipola is the son of Tongan parents. His mother is a
