RFU braced for shockingly low Twickenham crowd for England World Cup warm-up match
Rugby NewsTuesday, 01 August 2023 at 09:46
England's World Cup warm-up match against Wales on August 12 is projected to draw a crowd of 70,000 spectators.
However, the turnout for their game against Fiji two weeks later at Twickenham is expected to be just over half-full, with approximately 45,000 attendees.
Over the next month, Steve Borthwick's national team has four matches scheduled. The first match will be in Cardiff against Wales on Saturday, followed by an away fixture against the world No. 1-ranked Ireland in Dublin on August 19.
The match against Wales has been immensely popular, with tickets selling well for the visit of Warren Gatland's team. Nevertheless, it falls slightly short in box-office appeal compared to a showdown between two formidable southern teams.
On Friday, August 25, New Zealand will face off against South Africa at Twickenham, and the RFU anticipates a sold-out crowd of 82,000, largely boosted by the presence of Kiwis and Springbok fans in London.
The RFU remains optimistic about a late surge in ticket sales as World Cup fever intensifies, especially with tickets still available at affordable prices of £30 for adults and £10 for children. However, the current forecast for the match against Fiji is a crowd of 45,000.
Steve Borthwick set to drop more stars from England World Cup squad
England then kick-off their Rugby World Cup in Marseille, in a hotly anticipated clash against Argentina on the 9th of September. Here are RUCK's predictions for the positional hierarchy, for England's Rugby World Cup squad pecking order.
FIRST CHOICE SQUAD
Front Row
Ellis Genge of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 26 Jun 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
Locks
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5. Ollie Chessum* (Leicester Tigers)
Back Row
Try Celebrations for Jack Willis of England as he goes over for a try during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
8. Tom Willis (Bordeaux)
Halfbacks
A dejected Owen Farrell of England applauds in the direction of the England supporters at full-time following the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Centres
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
13. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
Back Three
Freddie Steward of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)
14. Max Malins (Saracens)
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
SECOND CHOICE SQUAD
Front Row
16. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
17. Jack Walker* (Harlequins)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Locks
Courtney Lawes of England during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium, London on 24 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
19. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks)
20. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Back Row
Try celebrations for Tom Pearson of London Irish as he dives over to score during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Harlequins at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 29 January 2023 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
21. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
22. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints)
23. Billy Vunipola* (Saracens)
Halfbacks
Marcus Smith of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
24. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
25. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Centres
A frustrated Ollie Lawrence of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
26. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)
27. Ollie Lawrence* (Bath Rugby)
Back Three
Cadan Murley of Harlequins goes over for a Try during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons at Twickenham Stoop, London on the 4th March 2022 - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
28. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
29. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)
30. Elliot Daly (Saracens)
ADDITIONAL 2023 RWC SQUAD MEMBERS
George Ford of Sale Sharks looks dejected after conceding a penalty try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stadium on 27 May 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
31. George Ford (Sale Sharks)
32. George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
33. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
PLAYERS TO MISS OUT ON 33-MAN SQUAD
34. Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester)
35. Theo Dan (Saracens)
36. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
37. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
38. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
39. Ben Earl (Saracens)
40. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
41. Danny Care (Harlequins)
Danny Care of England arriving before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
42. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
43. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
44. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
TRENDING
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LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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