Team GB rugby star Amy Wilson-Hardy under investigation by British Olympic Association after appearing to make racist comment while wearing dark coloured facemask

The British Olympic Association are investigating after a post which appears to show a women’s rugby star making a racist comment was posted on Instagram.

Officials are looking into a screengrab of a WhatsApp conversation which allegedly involves Team GB and England forward Amy Wilson-Hardy and an unnamed third party.

Within it, there is a picture of the 32-year-old, who looks like she is wearing a dark-coloured facemask.

The third party writes underneath: ’genuine chocolate face’, which prompts the response: ‘Thought I’d have a better chance with the blacks’.

The image was posted on Instagram along with the caption: ‘A little black face racism by @teamgb Rugby 7’s @amywilsonhardy even joking she’ll have a better chance with the blacks’.

The BOA declined to comment other than to say they were aware of the post and looking into the circumstances surrounding it.

Wilson-Hardy, who made her England debut in 2013, started in today’s 26-17 victory over South Africa and is due to be in action in tonight’s quarter-final against the United States, which starts at 7.30pm.

From West Sussex, she won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was named in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad and has a degree in engineering from Bath University.

Wilson-Hardy has 10 England caps and has scored 40 points.

A spokesperson for BOA said: ‘The British Olympic Association has been made aware of an image on a social media platform and is investigating the matter.’

The RFU have been contacted for comment.