The Rugby Football Union is to donate 400 tickets to NHS workers as Twickenham prepares for the return of fans when England play their final match of the Autumn Nations Cup.
London’s tier two status means a crowd of 2,000 is permitted when Eddie Jones’ men contest what is expected to be the showpiece event of the tournament – most likely against France – on Sunday week.
Of those attending, half will have purchased their tickets as Twickenham hosts spectators for the first time since March 7 when Wales were beaten 33-30 in the Six Nations.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 26, 2020
“We are delighted to be able to welcome 2,000 fans to Twickenham for the final Quilter International as part of the Autumn Nations Cup on December 6,” RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said.
“This is an opportunity for us to operate a socially distanced event as a small step forward in our plans for the return of fans to stadia.
“The team will be thrilled to have fans supporting them in person along with the thousands that will be watching on Amazon Prime.
“Twenty percent of the seats for the game will be gifted to local NHS workers. The remaining will be for the players’ families, local rugby clubs, sponsors and around 1,000 seats will be on sale with prices starting from £75.”
England face Wales in Llanelli on Saturday and appear certain to finish on top of Group A of the Autumn Nations Cup with France having a similarly dominant grip on Group B.
The Llanelli-based Scarlets, meanwhile, had their forthcoming Guinness PRO14 clash with Leinster postponed on Thursday following a “small number” of positive coronavirus tests in the Welsh region’s squad.
Ulster, who played the Scarlets on Sunday, underwent routine testing on Thursday and are awaiting the results.