By Simon Austin

England's rugby union team may have struggled in the 12 months following their World Cup triumph, but away from the field it's been a very different story.

The RFU has capitalised on England's World Cup win

There has been a major increase in the number of people both participating in and watching rugby union in England.

And the Rugby Football Union's profits have increased significantly, even before that November triumph has been taken into account.

It's all in stark contrast to the outlook a year ago, when a MORI poll commissioned by the RFU revealed dwindling interest and low levels of participation.

In the wake of these findings, the RFU introduced the "IMPACT strategy", designed to increase the numbers of people playing, coaching, officiating and administrating the game.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "We intend to use the World Cup success as a platform for growing and revitalising our game at all levels."

He has undoubtedly been successful in that aim so far:

There's been a 16% increase in the number of people playing rugby union since England won the World Cup.

An additional 33,098 people have started playing club rugby, taking the total number to more than 230,000.

And 3,135 coaches have been recruited, taking the total number to 22,469, with an extra 783 referees taking the number up to 6,060.

Terry Burwell, the RFU Community Rugby and Operations Director, said: "We are very encouraged by these figures.

"They show that the strategy we have put in place for a lasting legacy from winning the World Cup is working."

Sports Minister Richard Caborn said: "Instead of just basking in the glory of winning a World Cup, [the RFU] has put in place workable plans to engage people in rugby and for this they should be applauded."

Attendances at the Zurich Premiership clubs are up 24% according to the most recent figures.

The average crowd per game this season is 9,432, compared to 8,562 last year.

Nearly a third of matches have sold out this season with seven of the 12 clubs playing in front of an average that is more than 85% of ground capacity.

In total more than 560,000 fans have passed through the turnstiles since the season kicked off.

March's game between London Irish and Bath attracted the biggest ever Zurich Premiership crowd, with 20,840 people watching at Reading's Madjeski Stadium on St Patrick's Day.

All 12 Zurich Premiership clubs recorded a growth in season-ticket sales for the first time since the game went professional, with newcomers Worcester recording the biggest increase.

"Last year's story was the Rugby World Cup but this year the focus is back on the Zurich Premiership," said Howard Thomas, chief executive of English Premier Rugby.

And Leicester Tigers are even attracting crowds of more than 8,000 to their reserve games.

On 4 October, a staggering 9,209 supporters turned up to see Lewis Moody make his return from injury.

The RFU has announced a profit of �13.5m, with a turnover of �71.3m, for the year to 30 June.

And the figures should improve next year.

The RFU recently announced a five-year deal with Sky to broadcast domestic and international matches.

And the capacity of Twickenham, the venue for England internationals and Cup finals, is to be increased from 74,000 to 82,000.