England and Scotland fans warned they could face heavy fines for drunkenness at Rugby World Cup

There is a heavy police presence at World Cup matches in Marseille. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA

England and Scotland fans heading to Marseille for the first round of Rugby World Cup games have been warned they face fines for public drunkenness and noise pollution.

More than 100,000 fans are expected to flock to the port city for England's opening night at the Stade Velodrome. On Saturday there will be a match against Argentina, followed by Scotland's match against South Africa.

Those arriving at airports are greeted by signs with QR codes with “some reminders about French law and practical advice.” These include threats of fines for «obvious public drunkenness» of up to €150 (£128) and up to €180 for noise pollution. The National Police said in a statement that «the Rugby World Cup is a celebratory sporting event, but public peace must be maintained.» A maximum fine of €375 applies to those caught littering or urinating in public.

These rules will be tested to their limits over the weekend, especially in the Old Port area, which already has a reputation for attracting noisy people. By Friday afternoon, pubs and bars were already filled with supporters and there was a heavy police presence throughout the city.

Marseille has an unhappy history of hosting England fans at major events. English football fans were involved in scenes of riots here at the 1998 World Cup and the 2016 European Championship.

French police used tear gas against England supporters in 2016. Photo: Darko Bandic/AP

However, the last time England's rugby team played here, in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final against Australia, the game took place without any major incident.

Old Port and neighboring villages Its areas also have a reputation for high crime rates. There were several warnings throughout the airport about pickpockets and ticket sellers. Police even warn of “other forms of fraud, including street gambling or private individuals offering to sign a document.”

Fans are also prohibited from bringing any food or drink into the stadium, and anyone is prohibited from bringing a banner with “ political, ideological or advertising purposes» is strictly prohibited.