RFU's much-needed boost

England's World Cup warm-up clash with France at Twickenham on 6 September is a 74,000 sell-out.

Although this will be the last of the three World Cup "trial" matches - England play Wales on 23 August and France in Marseille on 30 August - interest in the clash with the French at Twickenham has given the Rugby Football Union, who normally pocket £9million from their three pre-Christmas Tests, a much-needed financial boost.

With the World Cup in Australia during October and November, there are no autumn Tests and the RFU expect to make a seven-figure loss this financial year.

Around 20,000 fans will be at Twickenham tomorrow for the London Pride Middlesex Sevens, which sees last year's runners-up London Wasps parading new signings Ian Clarke, Peter Richards and Tom Voyce.

First round (start 11.20am): Gloucester v British Army, Harlequins v Leeds, Young England v London Irish, Newcastle v Loughborough University, Sale Sharks v Saracens, Rotherham v Northampton, Bath v Wasps, Leicester v London Welsh.