Retailers have been eagerly gearing up for tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa in the hope that the team’s success will secure bumper sales.

England fans have been storming the checkouts as they stock up on couch-potato essentials such as beer, crisps, ready-made curries and pizza.

Asda revealed beer sales have doubled during the tournament, which started in September, and sales of crisps have soared 30 per cent.

Sainsbury’s reported a 30 per cent uplift in pizza sales and rival Morrisons has created a 14in cross of St George pizza, which goes on sales this morning. The grocer claims the pizza is big enough to satisfy the hunger of England giant Andrew Sheridan.

Sports retailer JJB noted an uplift in sales of replica kits, while increases in “all things rugby-related” were recorded by John Lewis. This included a 77 per cent hike in sales of replica kits over the past two weeks and a 46 per cent surge in sales of branded rugby balls.

John Lewis sports equipment buyer Robert Hennessy said: “Rugby has become the word on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s hearts – long may England’s rugby renaissance continue.”

Meanwhile, fans can try their hand at being Jonny Wilkinson with the Rugby 08 computer game. At Game, sales of the title have rocketed 255 per cent in the past four weeks. HMV head of games Tim Ellis said: “Every time we’ve won a match, sales of Rugby 08 have nearly doubled.”

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