A staggering 14.5 million viewers tuned in to see Jonny Wilkinson’s dramatic injury-time drop goal that won England the Rugby World Cup. The peak audience was recorded between 11.20 and 11.24 when an astonishing 82% of the UK audience were watching ITV1’s output of the Final between England and Australia.

The average for the entire match was 12.3 million with a 77% share, representing the second highest audience ever recorded for an international rugby match in the UK*. The figure will increase when the consolidated data is added (vcr recordings).

Brian Barwick, ITV’s Controller of Sport, said: ‘We are delighted so many millions of viewers were able to share such a phenomenal sporting event live on ITV. It was spell-binding television with a sensational climax and it capped seven weeks of brilliant live rugby action.

‘It was also ultimately a privilege for ITV Sport to be the broadcaster on the day when England became world champions – again!’

He added: ‘The event has been a huge success for ITV in terms of the viewing figures, the nature of the audience that has watched the output and the production itself.’

*The highest ever figure recorded was the 13.6m average who watched the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final on ITV in 1991 when Australia beat England at Twickenham.

For more details contact:

Gary Double
ITV Sport
01483 750662/07768 825114