Thanks to England Rugby Supporters Club members, Hardys Nottage Hill - official wine suppliers of the RFU - have a revealing insight into the changing social make-up of rugby fans.

It seems a new type of rugby fan has evolved since England scooped their World Cup win. The findings of the research carried out by Hardys, with 1,027 male rugby fans and 317 female rugby fans questioned through ERSC, shows that rugby fans are wine drinkers who combine sensitivity with good grooming.

Fans were asked about their wine drinking preferences, home life, activities and interest in fashion and film. Answers showed that most are partial to a glass of wine (99%), a large proportion enjoy relaxing in a luxurious bubble bath (90%), many admit to crying at films (64%), the majority have changed a baby’s nappy (70%), nearly all enjoy cooking (92%), fashion is important (89%), not quite half (43%) admit to borrowing their girlfriend’s moisturiser and three quarters (74%) use lip balm.

Tom Hill, General Manager of the ERSC comments, “The results make interesting reading, especially as rugby is growing in popularity. Rugby has traditionally always been viewed as such a masculine sport, yet this survey overwhelmingly points towards men who are now increasingly in touch with a more feminine side.”

To join ERSC, please call 0870 2401642 or visit www.rfu.com/ersc.