Scrum of the Earth /

The 2007 World Cup saw spectator figures break the 2million barrier for the first time in its 20 year history according to the sport's ruling body the International Rugby Board (IRB).

The number of people attending the tournament reached 2.25 million, meaning there was an average match attendance of 47,000 across the 48 Tournament matches in France, Scotland and Wales.

Television viewing figures were also higher, especially in France where RWC 2007 matches were the top six viewed programmes of any description during 2007.

Over 20 million viewers tuned in to watch the France versus England semi-final at Stade de France, bettering the figure achieved for the football World Cup final involving France at the same stadium in 1998.

While coverage England's final defeat to South Africa attracted the highest viewing figures for a single programme in the UK in 2007 with nearly 17 million tuning in.