Jump directly to the content

A 20,000-STRONG army of England fans surged into the bars of Tokyo ready to roar their rugby heroes to World Cup glory.

Captain Owen Farrell’s heroes go into this morning’s epic crunch clash with South Africa as favourites after smashing the mighty All Black last week.

 England's fans have been out in force ahead of the World Cup final
5
England's fans have been out in force ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: Ray Collins - The Sun

And their final battle will be watched by millions more 6,000 miles away back home all set to drink pubs dry if they triumph.

A million extra pints will be pulled back home if we win after thousands of boozers opened early for breakfast binges backing Eddie Jones’ men.

Red Rose stars including Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jonny May, George Ford and the Vunipola brothers will also be cheered on in Japan by Prince Harry and the team’s stunning WAG line-up.

Thousands of fans began thronging the pubs, fan zones and karaoke bars in Tokyo and around the 72,000-seat Yokohama International Stadium hosting the final.

The match kicks-off at 9am UK time - 6pm 6,000 miles away in Japan where excited rugger revellers were getting ready to party all night if we lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

British Beer and Pub Association experts estimated a feelgood factor would boost national booze sales by a million pints if England grab glory - giving the trade a £3.8 million lift.

At least one-in-five UK pubs will open early for breakfast and coffee early today - then cash in on huge beer sales all day if fans celebrate.

White-shirted England followers sang their “Swing Low Sweet Chariot Anthem” and mingled happily with fans of all nations last night in the biggest world cup fan zone in Ginza, Tokyo.

Construction firm manager Martin Peacock, 48, from London splashed out ££3,700 to watch England’s 19-7 demolition of tournament favourites New Zealand last week.

And the dad of two was dreaming of final glory last night as he partied with pals in Tokyo’s Ginza fan zone.

 England's fans have jetted to Tokyo to cheer on Eddie Jones' men
5
England's fans have jetted to Tokyo to cheer on Eddie Jones' menCredit: Ray Collins - The Sun

He said: “I came out for the two semis half expecting us not to make the final - but we smashed the All Black and now I’ve got my dream ticket.

“I was at the game last week and was incredibly nervous of a classic New Zealand comback but England were just too good for them. It was incredible.

“We’re favourites going into the final but I won’t be able to relax until we get enough points on the scoreboard to be out of sight. It’s just great to be here and to be a part of it.”

Retired telecoms specialist and former club rugby player Bob Hepworth, 57, from Chepstow, Monmouthshire was so thrilled by watching the All Blacks game that he immediately booked flights to Japan.

He said: “The semi was such an incredible game that I decided there and then that I just had to get to Japan for the chance to see us lift the World Cup.

“It cost me £4,500 but all the hotels and flights had been booked and paid for within hours of the end of the match - and here I am in Tokyo.

“The Japanese welcome has been incredible since I’ve been here and its been building up to a crescendo all week.

“Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, George Kruis and Kyle Sinckler have been the stand-out players for me but they’ve all been immense. It’s been an amazing World Cup.”

Fireman Ed Zanetti, 49, from Watford, Herts was on duty at London’s Mill Hill Station last week with the New Zealand semi final in the background while he worked.

Ed already had tickets for the final and knew he was flying to Japan - but an emergency call-out with his crew stopped him finding out England had won through to the final.

Boris Johnson sends message to England rugby team ahead of World Cup final
 Supporters have flooded the area surrounding the Yokohama International Stadium
5
Supporters have flooded the area surrounding the Yokohama International StadiumCredit: Ray Collins - The Sun

Ed said: “We had to pause the TV and jump into the fire appliance to deal with the emergency.

“I managed to stop anyone telling me the result until I played the match later and was absolutely thrilled that England got through.

“Now I’m just praying that we can repeat that epic performance so the fans out here can celebrate all weekend.

“The atmosphere and the excitement here is building by the hour but I’m just praying that we haven’t peaked too early.”

Anthony Connolly - a 50-year-old accountant from Welwyn Garden City, Herts - gambled on buying tickets for the final back in September - and was thrilled to see England win through.

The dad-of-two is an Arsenal-mad football fan but splashed out £2,000 on a whim after being catching Rugby World Cup fever.

He said: “Football’s my game but I wanted to get tickets for the rugby final in Japan because I knew it would be an incredible experience - but it’s even better seeing England playing to win it.

“My wife Mia organised all my travel in no time when I suggested it while watching the first match of the tournament - perhaps she wants to get rid of me!

“It’s been worth the gamble and every penny I’ve spent and now I can’t wait for the kick-off.”

Graham Uridge, a 55-year-old farmer from Haywards Heath, Sussex travelled to Japan with his pal Meirion Jenkins, a 59-year-old policeman from Wales.

The pair booked tickets for the final in advance and had been hoping to watch their teams play each other until Wales were knocked out by the Springboks.

Graham said: “We’d hoped for a bit of friendly rivalry at the final when we watched the semis back home on TV but the Welsh didn’t make it - but Meirion’s as rugby mad as me and will enjoy tomorrow’s game regardless.

“I was so excited my hands were shaking when I ordered my tcikets and now I can’t wait for the final and to see our boys make history - whatever happens, they have been fantastic.”

Meirion said: “I’m a Wales fan through and through I’ll be an Englishman for the day alongside my mate at the final. It should be a great game.”

Steve Archester, 50, from Headingley, Leeds, arrived on a Cathay Pacific flight via Hong Kong on Friday after booking his trip immediately after England's victory over New Zealand.

 Excited fans will be ready to party all night if we lift the Webb Ellis Cup
5
Excited fans will be ready to party all night if we lift the Webb Ellis CupCredit: Ray Collins - The Sun

He said: "The whole package including hospitality has cost me the best part of £8,000 to do at this late stage, but it's worth it."

England stars declared themselves ready and eager to outmuscle the bulldozer power of the beefy Springboks yesterday - and revealed they had been given a royal baby boost.

Prince Harry sent the Red Rose giants a picture of five-month-old Archie wearing an England shirt.

Tough tackling flanker Sam Underhill, 23, said: “As a group we’ve had a couple of messages of support from Prince Harry, which was nice to receive.

“He showed us his little lad in an England shirt, which was a nice touch.

“Most of the lads have got family or friends or partners out here and it’s been a good distraction - it’s awesome.

“You feel a sense of the bigger picture with loved ones here - that’s what it’s all about.”

Giant 20-stone No 8 Billy Vunipola had just three words to to say yesterday when quizzed about facing the huge Springbok hardmen: “Bring it on.”

And England lock George Kruis, 29, saluted fans back home watching in pubs and home across the nation gearing up to watch the final over boozy breakfasts.

He said: “The fans back home have been unbelievable for us - and we have felt the buzz from mates back home telling us what it’s like.

“It’s massive but we just have to see it as just another game. We know what’s coming - it’s about manning up and dealing with it.

British Beer and Pub Association spokesman Anthony Tighe said: “Engand playing in a Rugby World Cup Final is a great opportunity for publicans.

“If England do win, we expect many fans to stay in their local for the afternoon and evening to celebrate. Come on England!”

 The World Cup final will kick off at 6pm in Japan
5
The World Cup final will kick off at 6pm in JapanCredit: Ray Collins - The Sun
Rio Ferdinand praises England rugby team ahead of Cup Final and wishes England football was as good
Topics