There were remarkable scenes ahead of the Super League clash between Catalan Dragons and St Helens on Friday night as a bull ran riot during the pre-match warm-up.
The animal charged at red-shirted Catalan players as they ran to safety, with some jumping over advertising hoardings to get away.
It was one of three bulls inside the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan as part of the pre-match festivities. Catalan Dragons owner Bernard Guasch, who is head of a local meat processing company, arranged a bull parade to celebrate the quality of beef in the region. The club confirmed before the incident that "three prize-winning bulls, as well as two cows from the same Gascon breed, will perform a lap of honour during the warm-up".
But one of the bull's handlers was hurled to the turf as he entered the arena and dragged several yards before losing control of the animal.
Chaos followed, with people running for cover in different directions before the bull was brought under control.
"The new warm up at Catalans Dragons has really been spiced up at home this season," joked the Sky Sports Rugby League Twitter account.
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