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