England Rugby Int'ls Enjoy Record-Breaking Ticket Sales

The Rugby Football Union is "set to enjoy a record-breaking autumn windfall as the unexpected sell-out of England's Test against Fiji at Twickenham on Nov. 10 will lead to ticket-sales revenue of £17.5M ($28.2M)," according to Chris Foy of the London DAILY MAIL. All of the forthcoming QBE Int'ls -- against the Pacific island nation, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand -- will be played in front of capacity crowds" at Twickenham. It is the first time that a four-match campaign "has completely sold out and also the first time that a match against a tier two nation has drawn a full house." The union has "budgeted for ticket sales for this autumn series generating a return of £17M ($27.4M), but the higher-than-anticipated demand for the opening game has brought an additional £500,000 ($805,000) profit" (DAILY MAIL, 10/31).