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Pressure heaped on Eddie Jones as England fans have snapped up massive amount of Japan 2019 tickets

England fans look on during the Guinness Six Nations match against Italy at Twickenham earlier this month (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

England supporters are expecting huge things from Eddie Jones’ side if the level of ticket sales for Japan 2019 is anything to go by. 

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Not since 2003 have the English lifted the World Cup, but they are set to be visiting team with the biggest following when the latest finals start in the Far East in six months’ time. 

Nearly a quarter of the 600,000 tickets already purchased by non-Japan based buyers – in excess of 110,000 match tickets – were bought by people based in England who will travel with high hopes that the victory of 16 years ago in Australia can be repeated.

With Rugby World Cup 2019 ticket sales entering their final stages, international fans are set to make up around 33 per cent of total ticket sales of around 1.8 million.

Fans from England, Australia and Ireland make up the top three international ticket purchasers, while USA and The Netherlands are included in top 10. 

(Continue reading below…)

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The remaining 160 countries comprise a total of 19.7 per cent with fans coming to Japan quite literally from the four corners of the globe, including as far away as Antarctica.

Based on current ticket purchase data from the priority and general sales phases, as well as official travel and hospitality programmes, England fans are expected to make up 23.9 per cent of the foreign fan contingent, followed by Australia with 15.6 per cent and Ireland with 7.9 per cent. 

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The sixth largest international group will be fans from the USA, with 4.6 per cent, and The Netherlands round off the top 10 list with 2.5 per cent.

Akira Shimazu, CEO of the Japan Rugby World Cup 2019 organising committee, said: “With less than six months to go before Asia’s first Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan, it’s encouraging to see such an incredible response from international fans. 

“While we expected to see large numbers coming from the traditional rugby nations, I’m thrilled that both the USA and The Netherlands are in the top 10 countries of international ticket purchases.

“From the very beginning, we set out to make Rugby World Cup 2019 a truly ground-breaking tournament, so to have such strong interest from fans in rugby’s frontier markets like the USA and The Netherlands, as well as countries like Germany, Spain and Brazil is absolutely wonderful. 

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“Asian nations are also well represented with more than three per cent of international fans coming from countries neighbouring Japan.”

The next opportunity for fans to purchase tickets begins on 18 May 2019 with first-come-first-served ticket sales resuming.

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Hellhound 43 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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