Fans who showed up for England’s Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina in Marseille on Saturday encountered extensive entry delays.
These delays were primarily caused by sluggish security checks and a significant influx of fans arriving just before kickoff, resulting in congestion at the gates.
Consequently, it is believed that numerous supporters missed the opening moments of the match, including the national anthems and Tom Curry’s red card incident.
Former England hooker Brian Moore wrote:”To @rugbyworldcup – the organisation at the Marseille stadium was beyond shambolic.”
A fan added: “Spot on. Not enough entrances, not enough staff; ticket check at the top of steps and the tickets were checked twice (why?). If it had been a football crowd it would have been a riot.”
Another commented: “Absolutely appalling conditions outside the stadium in Marseille – was stuck in a crush for an hour in intense heat, felt very dangerous. In now, but even 10 minutes after kick-off the stadium is still half-empty!”
A third said: “Absolute shambles outside stadium in marseille 5 mins before kick off! Surely
@FranceRugby owes its players and fans a better show and reputation than where people are almost fainting in hot crowds over an hour before kick off…”
“Never felt so unsafe at a rugby game. Bottled necked three times to get into the stadium, with minimal staff at each check point. I think it’s more luck than judgement (as far as I know) no one has been seriously hurt,” tweeted a fourth.
“Abject” – Three England players Steve Borthwick must change, and who should replace them
Despite this triumph, there remains room for improvement in England’s starting lineup, and we believe that Borthwick should consider implementing three changes to further enhance the team’s prospects moving forward.
COMPETITION:
#1. Tom Curry
Telegraph 2/10: “The flanker was overeager in defence after an injury, red-carded after a TMO bunker review for a slightly unfortunate head-on-head collision in the third minute.”
RUCK 0/10: “Sent off after just two minutes. Some may say unlucky, but the flanker really left the officials no choice.”
Planet Rugby 1/10: “Some said he was unlucky, but ultimately he was high in contact and paid the price. Fortunately, his team-mates bailed him out. “
Rugby Pass 0/10: “Was hailed in the build-up as the potential missing link for the England defence as he arrived in France without playing a single minute of the four-game Summer Nations Series. That idea quickly went out the window, though. “
The Guardian 2/10: “Palpably fired up before the match, having not played since May, but lasted less than three minutes before a red card, via the bunker, for an overzealous tackle on Juan Cruz Mallía.”
Replacement: Jack Willis