Although a large chunk of the nation spent last night celebrating England’s massive win against Fiji in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the primarily jubilant scenes were left somewhat marred after clips of a large group of fans fighting began surfacing online.
Steve Borthwick’s side managed to overcome Fiji despite a seriously threatening and impressive late charge from their opponents, ultimately going on to win 30-24 after having nearly let a 24-10 lead slip through their fingers.
However, it would seem the tension was already high long before the Flying Fijians’ comeback as a video from the stands inside the Stade Vélodrome captured a fight which broke out between what appeared to be England fans and several French-speaking rugby supporters.
With two fans seemingly dressed as Lord Nelson — which one commenter said angered the home nation’s fans both inside the ground and on France’s metro public transport after deeming it a form of “hate speak” — a skirmish broke out and resulted in one man being launched over several rows of seats.
Shameful. Never seen this in rugby before. How disgusting.
Footage of the fight between what are thought to be England fans and French rugby supporters watching the Fiji game.
World Rugby has since confirmed that these fans were ejected from the stadium following the altercation and have apologised to other fans distressed by the scenes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Although it is not yet clear how the fight began or who instigated it beyond people taking offence to the fancy dress, it has been confirmed that none of those involved have been arrested over the incident.
The footage has upset many who condemned the supporters, with one person labelling it “disgraceful” behaviour “never [usually] seen in rugby“, as well as some adding, “Imposters. Rugby fans don’t behave this way” and that they were acting more “like soccer hooligans”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite an insistence that this isn’t representative of most rugby fans — traditionally referred to as ‘the gentleman’s sport’ — one commenter summed things up perfectly and with arguably the best pun we’ve heard in a long time.
Arguing the other side of things, many of those reacting on social media suggested that fighting and incidents like this are becoming more common amongst England’s fan base, with one person remarking, “Always always England fan. The disgrace of international sport support.”
Beyond the fighting, it was a brilliant day for the Rose who booked their place in the final four thanks to a match-saving penalty from captain Owen Farrell, who made sure they had a chance at taking on South Africa in the penultimate round of the competition.
ADVERTISEMENT
England face off against Springboks in the semi-final on Saturday, 21 October at 8pm, where a win would put them that one step closer to their first Rugby World Cup in two decades since Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-goal brought it home with just 26 seconds left on the clock back in 2003.
You can watch the highlights from England’s defiant display against Fiji down below:
Featured Image — England Rugby (via IG)/The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (via Twitter)
Sport
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
16th October 2023 
