Scrum of the Earth /

Rugby union has earned a place at the top table of TV rights negotiations by taking two of the top three spots in the TV Sports Markets Top 100 most-watched sports programmes for 2007, Sport Business reports.

The Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa attracted nearly 15 million viewers on ITV1, while the semi-final against France on the same channel drew an audience of 10.79m.

Only the car crash television that was the Euro 2008 qualifier between England and Croatia on BBC1 divided the two high-profile rugby internationals at the top of the table.

In total, rugby union took 21 out of the top 100 most-watched sports programmes, up from eight in 2006, according to TV Sports Markets.

Six Nations matches accounted for 11 places (Ireland versus England was the most-watched in 14th spot) and the Rugby World Cup accounted for ten.

Top UK Sports programmes 2007: TV Sports Markets analysis of Barb viewing figures

   1. RU: World CUP, final England v South Africa - 14.883m
   2. Football: Euro 2008, qualifier, England v Croatia 12.414m
   3. RU: World Cup, semi-final, England v France - 10.795m
   4. Football: Euro 2008, qualifier, England v Russia - 10.061m
   5. Football: FA Cup, final Chelsea v Man Utd - 9.657m
   6. Football: Ch League, final, AC Milan v L’pool - 9.469m
   7. Football: Ch League, semi-final, L’pool v Chelsea - 9.475m
   8. Football; Friendly, England v Germany - 9.419m
   9. Football: Friendly, England v Brazil - 9.365m
  10. Formula 1: Brazilian GP - 9.057m