Twickenham stadium is turning into the world's biggest pub with an unpleasant drinking culture, it is claimed.

The attack has come from World Cup winning coach, Sir Clive Woodward, who has called on the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to take action to restore order.

His concerns will chime with residents of the borough who well know that the heavy drinking seen in the stadium flows on to the surrounding streets in Twickenham and Richmond after the game.

Urinating in the streets, fights and generally boorish behaviour have become commonplace during the Six Nations and some other major rugby events, such as the annual Army v Navy fixture.

Writing about the game last weekend, Sir Clive said: "Having experienced Twickenham's drinking culture first-hand while working at England's Six Nations opener against Scotland, it made me realise that the RFU have a big problem on their hands.

"They have to do something about the huge number of supporters who spend most of the match getting up and down to either go to the bar to buy more beers or to go to the toilet.

"Twickenham is turning into the world's biggest pub and for many England fans, watching their team has now become a pretty unpleasant experience."

His comments have won support from may followers of the game, who say the situation has become so ugly that they have given up on going to Twickenham – driven away by the aggressive drinking and ticket prices of £150 and more.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Sir Clive said: "I was amazed to see thousands and thousands of supporters still queuing at the bar rather than sitting in their seats ready for kick-off.

"My friends and family were at the match. They were surrounded by people who were more concerned with drinking than the rugby. They were up and down throughout the game. Each time they returned, they were carrying eight pints each.

"The RFU need to look at it before trouble breaks out, especially when some are paying nearly £200 for a ticket."

Sir Clive said the sales of drink are a huge money generator for the RFU, but he said the organisation needs to take a step back and take action because a lot of rugby fans are being put off going to Twickenham.

He urged the RFU to follow the example of their Welsh counterparts and introduce an alcohol-free section of seating.

"An alcohol-free seating area doesn't mean you can't have a beer before and after the match. But what it would do is ensure those in that area are unlikely to be disturbed during the action," he said.