England Rugby is to join football and other sports by boycotting social media this weekend in a unified stand against racism and discrimination.
The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that all of its social channels including England Rugby, Allianz Premier 15s, Greene King IPA Championship and GB7s will observe the blackout.
Clubs competing in the Premier 15s and Championship will also join a boycott that will be in place among Gallagher Premiership sides.
The 'show of solidarity against online abuse' takes place between 3pm on Friday and 11.59pm on Monday night and sees the RFU come out in support of football and English and Welsh cricket.
England women's captain Sarah Hunter said ahead of Friday's match against France as cited by Sports Central: 'No professional sportsperson should have to suffer abuse, racism or harassment on social media. 'We've all seen how social media can help bring fans and players closer together but this does not mean abuse should be ignored. 'While we have an important Test match in France on Friday, we understand there are bigger and more important issues and hopefully this is an important statement that online hate will not be tolerated.
The decision follows the announcement that Sky Sports and BT Sport are planning to join the social media boycott as part of the war against racist abuse online.
As The Mail on Sunday first revealed, Premier League and Football League clubs, as well as the FA and PFA, will unite in a widespread blackout of social media platforms this weekend.
It was announced on Saturday night that for an entire round of fixtures from 3pm on Friday April 30 until midnight on Monday May 3 clubs will switch off their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. This will include Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who announced the closure of his own social media channels over racist abuse and a lack of action from platforms, has spoken of his pride about football picking up the mantle.
He wrote in a column in The Sun: 'It's win, win, win - this is what I was hoping for when I announced I was coming off all the platforms and this is what I was talking about - the strength of the pack. 'Now look the whole of English football isn't happy with you. The social media platforms - what have you got to say? 'This is my happiest moment. Football stands for something. Not only money. It is not just take, take, take. It is also about giving. Now it is really trying to tackle issues.
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