England boys spark a fan frenzy at Wasps

"Our next home game is against Perpignan in the Heineken Cup on 7 December, which is a very attractive fixture at any time.

"But, with all our England guys almost certain to figure in that match, I think we're looking at getting a record crowd at the Causeway Stadium.

"We've also launched our 'mini' season ticket offer this week, and the increase in sales of those has been amazing. We share our ticket office with Wycombe Wanderers, of course, and their staff have been brilliant in helping us out during the past couple of days because of the demand. It's not often that football has to take a back seat to rugby!"

Ticket offices at Harlequins and Saracens have also reported significantly increased demand over the past 48 hours - immediate evidence of the extra revenues heading English rugby's way in the aftermath of Saturday's heartstopping victory over Australia.

At Harlequins phones have also been "red hot", according to media manager Kerrie Stelling.

"We are at home to Leeds on Saturday and at the moment it could be a sell-out," she said. "General ticket sales are twice as much as normal, and our website has been getting three times as many hits in recent days."

Saracens, too, have a home match on Sunday - against Rotherham at Vicarage Road - and the certain return of England duo Richard Hill and Kyran Bracken, as reported in yesterday's Standard Sport, has already impacted on advance ticket sales for the match.

"Our phonelines have been much busier than normal," said Saracens spokesman Mike Hartwell. "As a lot of our prematch sales are done on-line, where supporters get a discount, it means our club website has been getting a lot of extra attention, too.

"With Richard and Kyran confirmed as taking part on Sunday, and with the return from injury of Thomas Castaignede and Alex Codling, there is a real feelgood factor around the place this week.

"In fact, it feels as if we are starting the season afresh - a relaunch, if you like.

"We have struggled to get going this season so far, especially with all our injuries, but France hooker Raphael Ibanez also starts his contract with us next Monday and it's a massive boost getting all our World Cup players back."

London Irish, too, despite being the only London Premiership club unaffected by World Cup calls, have noticed a dramatic rise in rugby interest in their Thames Valley catchment area - and are expecting a boost in the numbers of sales of their newly-launched 'mini' season ticket during the coming week.