England will host Ireland in round three of the Six Nations on Saturday week, but their fans are already in hot water after incidents at their opening game against Wales at Twickenham.
For Andy Farrell’s Irish side, it was a disastrous start to this year’s championship, with France tearing their defence open in a 22-point win on opening night in Paris.
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By contrast, it was a hugely satisfying opening for Steve Borthwick’s England, who backed up their ambitions of Six Nations glory with a massive 48-7 win over Wales.
Though their team may have made a storming start to this year’s Six Nations, the English fans appear to have made an unfortunate impression off the pitch as well.
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RFU warned over behaviour of fans at England v Wales
The local council of Richmond has handed down 24 Fixed-Penalty Notices (FPNs) for incidents of public urination outside the Six Nations opener between England and Wales last Saturday.
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March 2024; A general view inside the stadium before the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The news was first reported by The Guardian newspaper.
The RFU are hoping to up the number of concerts held at Twickenham each year from three to 15, but have faced pushback from local residents due to repeated antisocial behaviour outside England rugby matches.
Despite the efforts of plain-clothed police officers and stewards, as well as avoiding measures such as barriers, there were still multiple incidents ahead of last weekend’s game.
The Guardian’s report states that the 24 incidents are understood to have occurred in a number of locations surrounding the stadium, including alleyways, main roads, bushes, and even front gardens.
Leader of Richmond council, Garth Roberts, said that they would not accept the kind of antisocial behaviour witnessed ahead of England’s opener.
We love the fact that Twickenham is the home of English Rugby and that people come from round the world to visit our borough and watch a match, but rugby fans should take this as a warning.
If we catch you using our borough as a toilet, we will fine you. No ifs, no buts.
It will not come as great news to the RFU, just weeks ahead of the submission of their application to hold more concerts at Twickenham.
This will be the second time the RFU have made such an application. Their first was denied last September in part due to the presentation noting that “urination and indecent exposure” had occurred on an individual’s property.
It adds another element of intrigue for the RFU when England host Ireland later this month.
The round three Six Nations clash will be the final England men’s international at Twickenham before the re-application – meaning there will be plenty of scrutiny on the game from the local council.
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