The entertainment for the RLWC final tomorrow will outstrip the entire entertainment for the RUWC in 2015.

They can keep there money, and I'll keep my RL.

People turn up for a parade. They turn up for the most minor of celebrities turning on the Christmas lights in their town or city.

"3. Union is not the preserve of the upper-middle classes."

"England v NZ at Twickenham with about 82,000 people in attendance will have generated close to 5 million on the gate"

contradiction-tastic!

Carry on gutterfncks.

How is that a contradiction? Some premier soccer games cost more than twickenham......class has little to do with the cost of a ticket....

Supply and demand, simples init

I would venture that most fans in attendance to England RU matches rarely/if ever go watch a club games. It is mostly for the social occasion & atmosphere as opposed to RL fans who go mostly for the rugby. Herein lies the difference in international rugby, at least in this country.
The hype/hyperbole drummed up in the media HAS had a massive effect, it continues to do so but RU is already deep into the national psychy but it is the ongoing sense of occasion/excitement that propels itself. Also England RU might have a chance of winning or getting close in both the 6N & WC. RU fans are also a lot more pragmetic than RL fans, they'll still turn up in droves even if England RU get battered as they did against Wales last 6N