"Ugly scenes" - Police clashes with protestors outside Principality Stadium

 At least one individual was carried from the scene by South Wales Police, who have not yet confirmed whether any arrests were made.

Crowds gathered outside Cardiff Central station, many holding placards and waving Palestine flags in support of Palestine Action — a British pro-Palestinian group that was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK government earlier this year under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Organisers used the demonstration to challenge what they say are increasing restrictions on public protest in the UK, particularly around issues the International Criminal Court and a UN commission have described as genocide in Gaza. They criticised recent court decisions limiting the ability of defendants to cite broader political or humanitarian context during trials.

Similar protests were planned across the country on Saturday, including in London, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Bristol.

In Cardiff, just hours before kick-off, demonstrators staged sit-ins holding signs reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”

The incident unfolded as thousands of rugby fans made their way to the stadium, with the protest briefly drawing attention away from the build-up to the heavyweight Wales v South Africa fixture.