Sports retailers are scrambling to stock up on England rugby shirts now that the team has made it to the World Cup Final this Saturday.

It is understood that official shirt-maker Nike has experienced a huge increase in demand for replica kit after the England team beat both Australia and France to make it to the final.

Sales of England merchandise at department store chain John Lewis is reported to have rocketed 77 per cent in the past two weeks.

Sales of the video game Rugby 08 have shot up 250 per cent in the past month, with retailers such as Game rushing to stock up.

At Asda, rugby ball sales are understood to have soared 192 per cent in the run up to the match against France and there has been a rush on snacks such as pizza and beer for its armchair fans.