Just Stop Oil protester storms onto Twickenham pitch to bring final to a halt

27 May 2023 , 14:30

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A Just Stop Oil protestor invaded the Twickenham pitch

The Premiership final at Twickenham has been halt by a Just Stop Oil protestor who ran onto the pitch midway through the first-half.

The individual ran towards the middle of the pitch, where the ball was at the time, throwing orange smoke, but was met with a chorus of boos as the game was stopped. Loud cheers met his exit as security intervened to usher him out of the stadium.

BT Sport's coverage cut away from the protestor and the scene they created as they instead interview Sale's Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson with the game, then, tied at 6-6. Orange smoke remained visible on the pitch after the protestor had left, albeit there was no issue on the green surface.

Earlier in the day, some members of the environmentalist group demonstrated in front of Big Ben, in central London. They were demonstrating during the ‘Not My Bill’ protest, called by different groups to demonstrate against Government's anti-protest laws, anti-strike laws, anti-traveller laws and the illegal migration bill.

Just Stop Oil protestors have continued to make their point in the public eye despite frustration mounting. Earlier this week they took to the Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness.

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Protestors have targeted sporting events, recently making a scene at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield. An individual ran and jumped onto the table before releasing orange smoke.

The final was bought to a temporary halt (@danielgallan)

The contest at Twickenham is the final game of the domestic season that has seen huge disruption with two teams being lost - and a potential third in London Irish joining them.

Saracens topped the table with Sale second as they both won their semi-finals at home against Northampton and Leicester respectively. Saracens were undone in the final late on by a Freddie Burns drop goal last year, gifting Leicester a dramatic victory.

Sale are aiming to win the Premiership for just the second time with their last success coming 17 years ago to do the day of the Premiership final. Alex Sanderson, who is leading the northern outfit, won several titles whilst part of the coaching set-up at Saracens.

Samuel Meade