There were scary scenes ahead of the Catalans Dragons vs St Helens Super League match on Friday night as a bull got loose and chased players around the pitch.
The beast was part of a parade that was dreamt up by Catalans owner Bernard Guasch, who is also the head of a local meat processing company, and wanted to promote the quality of beef in the region.
A statement on the plans beforehand read: ‘Three prize-winning bulls, as well as two cows from the same Gascon breed, will perform a lap of honour during the warm-up. A unique opportunity to honour the know-how of breeders in our region.’
However, a bull broke free from its handlers, dragging one of them along the ground behind him and causing the players and other people on the pitch to dash for safety.
Some were calmer than others, but no one could blame the players who sprinted to the sidelines and jumped into the stands as the giant animal charged about.
Thankfully no one was hurt and the bull was brought back under control pretty quickly, but it was a pretty high-octant pre-match routine for the players involved.
With the bull back under control, the game got started as scheduled at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan, with Catalans beating St Helens 24-12.
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