Rugby: Fans turn on France at training

France has begun its first Rugby World Cup training session amid boos and whistles from furious spectators who were initially refused entry into the ground.

The fans, who gathered at the stadium in the southern French region of Eastern Pyrenees, were refused entry at the gates by police forcing the 2000-strong crowd to disperse around the complex and watch from behind the perimeter wire fencing.

The lock-out prompted chants of "come on the All Blacks".

To avoid further bedlam manager Jo Maso eventually ordered the police to let in the supporters to watch their team';s preparations.

The confusion arose after team officials had scheduled a closed session with just the media allowed to attend.

However local press and community groups had already announced the training session was open to the general public prompting fans to gather at the gates.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF