Tournament chiefs have delayed Friday's scheduled launch of the "rugby community" sale of tickets for next year's Rugby World Cup in England until May 29.
England Rugby 2015 said Thursday they were responding to a "request" from online ticket distributor Ticketmaster which came just two days after the firm's equivalent website for this July's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was shut down, as well as an accompanying phone line, with ticket sales for the multi-sport event suspended.
"Tournament organisers, England Rugby 2015, today (Thursday) announce that the Rugby Community Ticket Sale for Rugby World Cup 2015 will now launch on Thursday May 29 at 1pm (2200AEST)," said a statement.
England Rugby 2015 explained the delay had come about "following a request today (Thursday) from Ticketmaster for more time to test the online ticketing system they are providing to ensure that rugby fans have the best possible experience when booking tickets".
Officials are trying to make sure committed rugby supporters, such as club members, have the chance to buy tickets ahead of the general sale starting on September 12.
The statement added the delay would give rugby clubs more time to register their members on the system for the 500,000 tickets available.
Now the "community" ticket program will run from May 29 to July 2, while the September 12-29 dates for the general sale of up to a million tickets remain unaltered.
