Angry Welsh rugby fans have vowed to sing Delilah at the Principality Stadium on Saturday after one current international star criticised the decision to ban it.
On Wednesday, WRU bosses confirmed that the song would no longer be sung by the pre-match choir at Wales games, or played over the tannoy. The decision followed a turbulent period for the organisation, which saw CEO Steve Phillips resign amid accusations of harbouring a toxic culture, characterised by sexism and misogyny.
The Sir Tom Jones' classic has become an iconic anthem for Welsh fans, despite criticism over it's references to domestic violence. The lyrics include the line "I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more."
Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign this Saturday at home to Ireland, but will be without star winger Louis Rhys-Zammit. The Gloucester player is currently recovering from an ankle injury but has still found time to weigh in on the Delilah issue.
He tweeted: "All the things they need to do (the WRU) and they do that first." Former scrum half Mike Phillips seemed equally baffled, asking: "So what happens if 77,000 people do start singing Delilah? Crazy."
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The reaction from fans has also been scathing, and one of Cardiff's most famous match-day pubs, The Old Arcade, responded by tweeting: "We will be playing Delilah… It will be loud… It will be on a loop…" And supporters with tickets have pledged to follow suit.
Winger Rees-Zammit has won 17 caps for Wales (Getty Images)"It’s going to be noisy," wrote @colevs, reacting to news the Principality Stadium roof will be shut. "Delilah echoing around the stadium." @kattykins87 added: "Who’s ready to belt out Delilah in the stadium on Saturday!"
@Alfie10111 asked: "Will there be anti Delilah police on patrol at the Principality stadium on Saturday?" and @chauffeur20021 wrote: "Everybody should sing it very loud on Saturday and give the WRU the finger."
The WRU have made it clear that individuals won't be sanctioned for singing the song of their own accord. But the timing of the ban has been questioned, with the authority accused of trying to provide the public with a distraction amid the turmoil caused by the sexism claims.
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