Rugby World Cup: Fans may not gain entry with tickets from touts

New Zealand will seek to win their first World Cup away from home in 2015

Fans have been warned they may be refused entry to next year's World Cup if they do not buy tickets through the official channels when they go on sale.

Reports suggest criminal gangs are plotting to buy tickets and sell them on at inflated prices.

England Rugby 2015's Joanna Manning-Cooper said: "Our ticketing terms and conditions are strict.

"We reserve the right to refuse entry if tickets have not been purchased through official channels."

England Rugby 2015 failed to persuade the government to make touting of Rugby World Cup tickets illegal.

The ticket agency Ticketmaster has introduced measures to combat touts, who will use sophisticated software to flood its website with ticket applications for high-demand games.

Ahead of tickets going on sale at 10am on Friday, communications director Manning-Cooper added: "We are doing everything we can to make sure tickets get into the hands of fans who want to come to the tournament, and not to touts who simply want to sell them on at a profit."

The World Cup begins on 18 September next year when England face Fiji at Twickenham. There are 20 countries taking part in the tournament, including reigning champions New Zealand, who beat France 8-7 in the final in Auckland in 2011.

Wembley, the Millennium Stadium, Elland Road and Villa Park are among the venues being used.

Ticket prices for adults start at £15 for low-profile games such as Samoa v USA at Brighton Community Stadium but rise to £715 for the best seats at the final at Twickenham on 31 October.

The cheapest adult seats for England's opener against Fiji at Twickenham are £75 and rise to £315; for Wales' first game at the Millennium Stadium against the play-off winners they range from £50 to £175; the same pricing structure is in place for Ireland v Canada at the same venue; while tickets for Scotland v Japan at Kingsholm start at £20 and go up to £85.