KICKING OFF
Moment rugby fans in fancy dress begin fighting inside stadium during England vs Fiji quarter-final in Marseille
THIS is the moment rugby fans in fancy dress began fighting inside the stadium during the Rugby World Cup quarter final.
Video shows the brawl breaking out between supporters watching England vs Fiji at Stade Velodrome in Marseille last night.
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The clip shows several fans dressed as Napoleon pushing fans as the nail biting match goes on below.
The clash then turns more aggressive and one fan is seen being flung head-first into spectators below as witnesses watch on in horror.
The video was shared online by Rugby podcast with the caption: “Unsavoury scenes at Stade Velodrome as several England fans are removed for fighting.”
It comes as Owen Farrell last night kept his nerve to kick England into the last four.
Skipper Farrell had been roundly jeered when his name was read out to the Stade Velodrome crowd before kick-off.
But after a stunned England had seen a 14-point advantage ripped apart in the blink of an eye, Farrell stepped up to the plate.
The drop goal that put the Red Rose side back in front was straight out of the Jonny Wilkinson play-book before another penalty, taking him to 20 points, edged them home despite a late Fiji siege.
Fiji were also reduced to 14 when Marcus Smith was brutally pole-axed by Vinaya Habosi and it appeared England would waltz to Paris.
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Yet the Pacific Islanders hit back through No 8 Viliame Mata and while Farrell’s kicking had England 24-10 up with 20 to go, it all changed.
First England’s defence disappeared for replacement Peni Ravai to scramble through and then Isoa Nasilasila opened the way for Bototu to charge over.
Suddenly it was memories of that humiliation at Twickenham seven weeks ago, England a mess and rocking.
The World Cup quarterfinals delivered another heart-stopper on Sunday as England held on in the face of a valiant fightback from the Flying Fijians to end the crowd-pleasing run of the tournament darlings by a tense 30-24.
English hopes of a second world title were written off six weeks ago after a lacklustre first-ever loss to Fiji at Twickenham.
Now, a victory over the same opponent has carried them into the semifinals for the sixth time in 10 editions of rugby's biggest event.
They now face South Africa, who narrowly overcame hosts France on Saturday night.
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