Jason Robinson admits disappointment that the RFU have never approached him for diversity advice

World Cup winning England legend Jason Robinson revealed his dismay that the RFU have never approached him to help them embrace diversity.

While the national union review their unofficial anthem of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and its links to slavery as part of a wider look at inclusivity, Robinson hopes it leads to more education in rugby and society in general.

But the 45-year-old has been left disillusioned by the RFU himself, who have never asked him to help them tackle these huge issues.

Jason Robinson is disappointed that the RFU have not approached him over diversity issues

‘I’ve always been astounded I have never been used to help,’ Robinson exclusively told Sportsmail.

‘In many ways it would be a good role, but would I want to contribute? Is my opinion worth it? I have to go onto a system to buy two tickets to games.

‘I might be a World Cup winner, an England captain but I am Joe Bloggs when it comes to attending games.

‘If that’s how I’m seen as an ex-player and England captain I don’t think I’m seen as very valuable.

‘It’s the same for all the players unless you go in corporately. One minute you’re treated as a World Cup hero, the next you’re scrambling for tickets. It’s a funny old world.’

The former England captain had a tough emergence into rugby from an early age and believes he has vital experience to help the RFU in making the game more open to diversity. Above he is pictured giving advice to Irish school children in 2008

Robinson thinks he would be ideally placed to assist the RFU as not only England’s most famous black rugby player, but also having experienced hardship in his life.

‘I came from rugby league to union, am from a council state, have had challenges, and no one has ever asked me for my opinion,’ he added.

‘You don’t have to be from a BAME background to understand it but it certainly makes a difference.

‘From an early age I had lots of racism on the field. My mum stopped going to games because of the racism in the crowd, and hearing her son being spoken about in such a way – she couldn’t handle it.

As an ex-captain and World Cup winner, Robinson is fondly remembered as an England legend

‘I saw the class divide too when I switched to union. I understood it. I have a school’s programme now and speak from experience as I know what it’s like to come from a single family, to encounter racism, to have come from a poor, deprived area.

‘If you’re trying to do something in these areas you have to understand the challenges these kids face. It’s not a case of “we’ll put an event on and they’ll turn up”. A lot of kids can’t afford to pay for the kit, the yearly subscription, or can’t get there because they’re from a single-parent family.

‘I relied on a friend’s dad to pick me up or I wouldn’t be able to get there. These are the barriers that a lot of kids face. Unless you understand that it’s tough.’

Robinson was the only black player when England won the World Cup in 2003, so is proud that the team is more diverse now.

While he admitted he did not have a problem with fans singing Swing Low while he was playing he thinks its history must be told to educate fans.

‘I have never been offended by it,’ he said. ‘I have sung it myself. Have I sang it in ignorance?

‘Whenever I hear Swing Low it reminds me of rugby, of England and it’s a song sung to cheer on the players.

‘This will make me look into it, that’s for sure. I don’t know the origin of most buildings, street names – it’s an extensive list – but if England are singing a song and its origins are offensive then that needs to be looked at.

‘You can only make change when you’re aware. If you’re aware you’ll never bring change.

‘Let’s look at inequalities, organisations that struggle with diversity and let’s try and do it from the top-down.

‘In 2003 I was the only black person. Looking at my old photo of the World Cup final to now, it’s a real progression.

Robinson was the only black player in England’s 2003 World Cup winning squad and while he admits progress for diversity has been made since, he claims more needs to be done

‘It’s important. How else do you think there is a place for you in any organisation if you never see anyone that represents you?

‘How then can you make a difference in communities when you don’t understand the communities that they come from?

‘There should be more representation. At Twickenham Maggie Alphonsi is the only BAME board member.

‘It’s not just about black faces – there’s more to diversity than just black and white people. Why is there no one there from the Asian community, for example?

‘There’s a bigger picture here that we have to deal with. Diversity would be better for everyone.’