Alarming reports have emerged of a dangerous crush at Twickenham rail station after the England match against Tonga on Saturday.

Members of the crowd have highlighted distressing scenes as thousands, including young children in tears, were herded into cramped areas.

The match itself, which was the first at the rugby stadium to welcome a capacity crowd of 82,000 for almost two years, was a great success.

However, there are fears that the problems experienced after the game on Saturday could be repeated over coming weekends when England are due to play Australia and South Africa.

A number of worrying incidents were reported on Saturday, including:

- A lack of safety marshals and police to manage the crowds entering the station and keep people safe.

- Reports of pushing and shoving, even fights, as people were forced to queue for hours.

- A surge forward in the crowd entering the station which frightened a group of young boys, reducing some to tears.

- A 13-year-old girl having a panic attack on the train home as a result of the crowds.

- An elderly couple having to be rescued from the scrum of people after nearly falling over.

- A complete lack of social distancing.

- Drunkenness and people urinating and throwing up in the streets and in front gardens.

Senior rugby journalist Chris Jones, who writes for The Times, tweeted: "Twickenham station was meant to be revamped for the 2015 World Cup yet it remains a disgrace as an exit point for a major sporting event. It is a building site with thousands of fans of all ages herded into narrow tunnels.

"A serious situation that no one seems interested in solving. Two more Saturday night for fans to endure. If it rains it will be even worse."

A follower agreed adding: "Couldn't agree more, Chris. A horrible and utterly sub-standard railway station, even if it wasn't serving a major sporting destination. An embarrassment."

Another rugby journalist, Alex Spink, of the Mirror, tweeted: "Something needs to change. We can't just say it's always been that way.

"Not a pleasant experience. Feel for the staff. Infrastructure not up to it."

Fan, Danny Gomm wrote: "The west bound entrance – to the station - after the game was just dangerous.

"Large queue outside the station, no information provided and all of a sudden the barriers opened into a funnel type set up. There was a large surge forward and people were pushed into the signage and fencing.

"This resulted in lots of older and younger people very distressed. It all seemed like a shambles.... I just hope its sorted for those attending over the next 2 weeks."

One worried parent wrote: "I took my son's football team. For most their first experience of rugby and Twickenham. Never had it this bad before.

"We didn't get on a train for 3 hours after the game. On top of this there was a small surge forwards which had the kids in tears as they got crushed."

Another twitter suggested youngsters were at risk, writing: "My 13-year-old daughter had a panic attack when we got the train at 19:30 back to Waterloo because of it all, I even tried to leave later so it would have calmed down, next time we'll leave even later."

Father Andy Stranks, wrote: "Absolute shambles at the station, fights breaking out, police struggling and the station, and general chaos, not ideal with young kids.

"Have been going for years, but worst experience today, with my 7yr old, no awareness of younger kids, and seems like station have reduced the numbers they can handle, causing chaos."

Separately, deputy leader of the Council, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, reported evidence of anti-social behaviour involving drunk fans around the stadium. He raised the issue with RFU Home Turf, which is the RFU's group handling Twickenham Community Relations.

Mr Ehmann wrote: "Sad to say today I've witnessed some dreadful spectator behaviour around game at Twickers.

"Lots of urination on residential Roads, plenty illegal parking, attempts to rat-run through road closures & vomiting on road too. Have raised number of issues with @RFUHomeTurf."

The RFU Home Turf group responded, saying: "Thank you for raising these problems with us. It's absolutely fair to say that there some definite areas we need to improve for next week, and these will be a priority. Our apologies to you and any other residents affected."

Sources at the RFU indicated the handling of crowds using the rail station is the responsibility of South Western Railway and British Transport Police. Meetings are due to be held to discuss improvements.

An RFU spokesperson told Nub News: "The RFU works with all local stakeholders on safety and transport plans, with the RFU managing queues leading up to the stadium.

"Despite the challenges of re-opening the stadium after such a long Covid enforced shut down, the sell-out England v Tonga game was managed very successfully from an operational point of view.

"Fans were encouraged to allow extra time for their journey and pre- and post-match entertainment helped to ease the flow of people arriving and departing the stadium.

"For all major events we provide a live help line for local residents taking all issues extremely seriously. There were a very small number of calls and each was immediately responded to."