Rugby fans’ wallets set for a €400 mauling

MANY Irish rugby fans who are anxious not to miss a second of World Cup 2007 action will have to pay up to €400 for the privilege.

While Ireland’s games are being shown for free on TV3, fans who don’t have Chorus or Sky will have to fork out for either Sky satellite television or Chorus cable TV — and then a two-month subscription to the Setanta channel.

Fans opting for satellite have to sign up for a minimum of 12 months, with the cheapest Sky deal costing €240 for the year with an extra €36 for Setanta, a total of €276 in all.