Israel Folau’s World XV coach welcomes decision to fly pride flag at Twickenham

Former Australia full-back Israel Folau will line up for the World XV on Sunday (Adam Davy/PA)

Steve Hansen applauds the Rugby Football Union’s decision to raise the pride flag above Twickenham on Sunday after acknowledging his selection of Israel Folau for the World XV is controversial.

Folau, a Christian fundamentalist, will face Eddie Jones’ Barbarians on Sunday four years after he was sacked by Rugby Australia for publishing a series of anti-gay posts on social media.