English win helps rugby profit in popularity stakes

APART from the obvious financial windfall for the RFU and the Clive Woodward’s 30-man squad, the greatest profit from England’s narrow World Cup final victory over Australia could potentially come from the new-found popularity of the sport across the Irish Sea.

England haven't won a major world title in any sport since Alf Ramsey's side lifted the football World Cup in 1966 and following England's three-point, extra-time victory over Australia on Saturday morning, the greater English public is expected to take their new world beaters to their heart.

It was difficult not to notice the amount of traditional football fans (working class males in their mid-20s mostly) who adopted the rugby team as their own in Sydney over the past fortnight, and this trend looks set to continue when Woodward's squad arrive home.