That figure is over 10 times the number that tuned in to watch Ecuador's Group A clash with Costa Rica, which reached an average audience of 68,000 viewers. However, while that game accounted for RTE's lowest World Cup audience, the station has expressed satisfaction with the figures, given that the group game between the two unfashionable sides kicked off at 2pm on a Thursday.

Today's second-round match between England and Ecuador will be the 42nd game televised by RTE since the competition began on 9 June. The average audience for matches has been 226,000 viewers, although this figure takes in both afternoon and evening clashes. Taking only evening kick-offs into account, the average viewership has been 345,000.

The viewership figures cover the pre-match and postmatch analysis, as well as the game itself. RTE has been aided by the allure of its pundits, with Bill O'Herlihy playing referee to Eamon Dunphy, Johnny Giles, Graeme Souness, Liam Brady and Denis Irwin among others.

The popularity of the English football team, captained by David Beckham, reflects the trend noted by bookmakers for Irish punters to place bets on their closest neighbours to win the tournament outright.

Irish bookies expect over 100m to be wagered on the tournament, with England proving the most popular side.