Uni rugby team pub brawl probe
A UNIVERSITY rugby team has launched a review into a brawl which erupted during a pub social in Cardiff.
Members of Cardiff University’s Law Rugby team were seen fighting with a group of local men in the garden of the Mackintosh Hotel in the Cathays area of the city.
The incident, which happened between 6pm on and 9pm on Wednesday, March 6, was filmed by bystanders and involved around 20 people, according to an eyewitness.
Police were called to the fight, but by the time officers arrived, those involved had left the area.
There have been no reports of any injuries, South Wales Police said.
Footage, obtained by student news site The Cardiff Tab, does not show why the fight broke out.
But a Cardiff University student who witnessed the brawl told The Tab it allegedly kicked off after a local resident began “shouting abuse” at a member of the rugby club committee.
The student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The confrontation was sparked by a group of people shouting abuse at [a committee member] for Law Rugby.
“After a standoff between the player and a member of the group, [the committee member] had a glass smashed over his head.
“The fight then went outside where 20 or so boys piled on each other.”
In the footage which was filmed by bystanders through the window from inside the pub, the rugby players can be seen running towards a group of men, with one student getting hit with a crutch which bends under the force of the blow, reports The Tab.
Both the rugby players and the locals can be seen throwing punches towards each other.
Izzy, a second year Cardiff University student, lives very near the pub and saw police arrive following the altercation.
She told The Tab the situation was quickly defused with the society being kicked out of the pub seemingly in high spirts.
“Nothing more happened besides the society being kicked out of The Mack, once outside they proceeded to chant and sing,” she said.
Known as The Mack by Cardiff students, the pub is often used by Cardiff University students as a place to for drinks before going onto the popular YOLO event at the Students’ Union Y Plas nightclub.
A spokesperson for Cardiff University Law Rugby Team told The Cardiff Tab: “We do not condone violence of any kind, we will be working with relevant parties to review what happened as a priority.”
A South Wales Police spokesperson added: “Police attended a report of a fight at Mackintosh Pub at around 8.15pm on March 6, however those involved had left the area.
“There was no signs of blood or broken glass and there have been no reports of any injuries.”
The Tab Cardiff has contacted Cardiff University’s Students’ Union for comment.