15.8m watch World Cup Final
A dejected England team after the final whistle
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Sunday, 21, Oct 2007 06:25
England's loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Final was watched by a peak audience of 15.8 million people, according to overnight figures.
An average of 12.8 million watched the crucial Stade de France match on ITV1, figures which do not include the millions of people watching in pubs across the UK.
Unfortunately, fans were left disappointed with South Africa edging the match 15-6 to win the World Cup for the second time.
Ben Cohen, part of England's World Cup-winning squad in 2003, saw the team's superb resurrection - bouncing back from a 36-0 defeat to South Africa in the group stages to beat Australia and the hosts France in the knockout stages - as great news for the sport.
"It is good for English rugby," he said. "We've got people watching the game again, supporting the team again and interested in rugby again, and that has got to be a good thing."
Prime minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the sterling efforts of Phil Vickery's team, who saw their hopes of becoming the first team to defend a World Cup dashed when Mark Cueto's foot was ruled to be in touch after evading South African tackles to reach the try-line.
"England's performance at this World Cup, and in the final against South Africa, was an inspiration to millions in our country," Mr Brown commented.
"Their victories against France and Australia will live long in our memory, and the country is extremely proud of their extraordinary achievements over the past few weeks."
BBC1's audience figures were hit by the World Cup final, with the weekly National Lottery show and Casualty both experiencing a ratings dip.