Individual match tickets for the 2007 Rugby World Cup have gone on sale this morning (from 8am Irish time) through www.rugbyworldcup.com.
This is the third phase of the ticketing programme for the tournament and fans from all over the globe will be eager to get their hands on them.
The previous two phases of the ticketing programme have comprised ticket sales via a range of team and city packages. The purchase of individual match tickets can be made without having to purchase travel and accommodation packages and prices start from as little as 10.
IRB Chairman Dr. Syd Millar confirmed: "The individual match ticket release will include tickets for all 40 pool matches and the first allocation of tickets for the quarter-finals and the third-fourth place play-off. The ballot and the last phase of single ticket sales for the semi-finals and final is planned for April."
Do not forget that Ireland are placed in Pool D alongside hosts France, Argentina and the European 3 and African 1 qualifiers, and will play their pool matches in Bordeaux (2), Saint-Denis and Paris.
On Sunday, September 9, 2007, Eddie O'Sullivan's men will kick-off their World Cup bid against the African 1 qualifiers at the Chaban-Delmas stadium, which holds 34,462 spectators, in Bordeaux. Then they will take on the European 3 qualifiers at the same venue on Saturday, September 15, before meeting the French at Saint-Denis's 80,000-capacity Stade de France on Friday, September 21.
They wrap up the pool stages against familiar cup foes Argentina in Paris - at the 48,527-capacity Parc des Princes - on Sunday, September 30. For the duration of the pool stages the Irish squad and management will have a base camp in the Aquitaine region.
...The William Webb Ellis trophy...
The quarter-finals will occur on October 6 and 7 - if Ireland qualify for the last-eight as Pool D winners they will play the Pool C runners-up (probably Scotland or Italy) in Saint-Denis on Sunday, October 7. If they finish second in Pool D, O'Sullivan's charges will meet the Pool C winners (probably New Zealand) at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, October 6.
Both the semi-finals (October 13 and 14) and final (Saturday, October 20) will be held at the Stade de France.
Special ticket packages, which include both travel and accomodation, are available from the website of the official RWC 2007 international travel programme - www.rth07.com.
Happy ticket hunting!
