Plan ahead to get a bed

Hard to think about rugby when you're basking in the sun, but diehard fans who are in remote and communications-free zones might like to think about heading into town as the first of the Rugby World Cup tickets went on sale on Friday.

These all-inclusive packages are primarily aimed at overseas punters as they offer travel, accommodation and tickets to games.

Venue and team pool packs - excluding the gold mines of semi-final and final games - go on sale in April and individual tickets will go on sale in September.

For those wanting to see the Rugby World Cup on the cheap, you'd better make sure you have rellies or mates in the cities and towns the games are being played.

Tickets might be easy enough to get - it's a bed for the night that will be tricky.

Given that you can't always rely on the kindness of strangers, renewing your correspondence with a maiden aunt in Khandallah or a crusty old uncle in Sandringham might be a fine tactical move over the coming months.