The start of Sale’s Champions Cup tie against Toulouse was delayed by 40 minutes after a parachutist had to be rescued from the roof of the stadium.

Two parachutists delivering the match ball landed safely on the pitch at the Stadium de Toulouse, but their colleague went off course and was left dangling from the roof after their parachute got snagged in the awning.

Supporters in the stand below had to be moved while officials worked out how to free the parachutist.

Stadium staff and Toulouse’s lion mascot gathered post protectors to place underneath the parachutist and a large children’s inflatable was brought in from outside the stadium to provide further cushioning.

After a nervy 30 minutes, firemen finally freed the parachutist and his chute to big cheers from the crowd.

The players, who had returned to the dressing room while the rescue took place, were called back out and the last-16 match finally kicked off.