Irish fans lead ticket charge

UNFAILINGLY first to any party, Irish fans haven’t failed to live up to their billing when it comes to the Rugby World Cup. In the long line for tickets for the greatest show in Test rugby, it seems we’re well ahead of the rest.

With just over 14 months to go until New Zealand 2011, organisers revealed this week that their highest number of overseas subscribers had been of a green tint. Two months on from the opening of the ballot process for passes, Ireland has applied for more tickets than any other foreign country.

It seems that, in spite of being left dispirited and deflated when Bordeaux was enveloped in emerald in 2007, Irish fans are willing to put invest their faith – and funds – in following Declan Kidney’s side around the Land of the Long White Cloud next year.