Club needs 2,023 people to go for world’s largest rugby scrum

Not content with the world’s highest bridge, Millau is going for a new record with the world’s largest rugby scrum.

The record-breaking attempt will be held on May 25 when 2,023 players will come together at Stade de la Maladrerie in the shadow of the Viaduc du Millau for a charity event.

Players will line up as in a traditional scrum – with a front row, second row and back row. Providing they are not all too fat, which is obviously unheard of in the oval ball game, then the total width should extend to about 200m.

That means that those furthest away from the ref will probably not hear his calls of Crouch, Bind and Set but front-row denizens with cauliflower ears rarely listen anyway.

Money raised in the event will go to cancer charity Ligue contre le cancer after a club player was affected and the odd number in the scrum – which means one side will have more players than the other – is to publicise France’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The previous record is held by 1,565 players in Japan from last September and the May 25 bid will see many top names in French rugby arrive to boost the numbers.

Although a world record bid, the organisers are at pains to say that the scrum will not be ‘competitive’ for safety reasons.

The scrum will put some smiles on faces at SO Millau after they missed out on promotion from Fédérale 2 to Fédérale 1 a week ago.

Called the Mêlée du Coeur, it will be held as part of their open day, Tournoi Open Roquefort, where 2,000 young players are expected. Participation is open to all over-12s on the Facebook page or search for record.du.monde.melee in Facebook and those joining the scrum will get a T-shirt with a voluntary donation.