ENGLAND will mark their stunning World Cup triumph with a pre-Christmas celebration game at Twickenham.

Although it will not be an official Test match, clearance has been given for an England XV to tackle the New Zealand Barbarians on December 20.

Tickets will sell out in record time, judging by initial inquiries on the back of England's unforgettable 20-17 triumph over Australia on Saturday.

"We've got all the clearances now from the International Rugby Board," said Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron, in Sydney yesterday.

"It's not a Test match; it will be the New Zealand Barbarians against an England XV. It's a celebration game.

"Prices will be lower than for a Test match. I believe there will be a few ex-All Blacks in the Barbarians side, and they've also got a few South Africans and some French players. It's now all about a great party at Twickenham.

"We couldn't firm up the match until the IRB gave us consent, which was this week. But the inquiries we've already had about tickets have been overwhelming.

"It will be a sell-out.

"We've got something fabulous to build on, so one has to be very positive and optimistic," he added.

"The key for us is to channel that into the grass roots - we've got to get participation levels rising - and that's now our number-one priority."

And England celebrated their first day as world champions by sweeping the board at the International Rugby Board awards in Sydney.

Jonny Wilkinson, who, on Saturday landed a dramatic extra-time drop-goal winner to clinch the World Cup, was named international player of the year.

Clive Woodward was voted coach of the year after guiding England to the Six Nations grand slam, June victories in New Zealand and Australia and finally the World Cup.

Those unparalleled achievements saw England named team of the year.

Woodward said: "We have had a very successful four years. We have always put our full-strength side out.

"I have a brilliant coaching team, but a coach is only as good as his players. You have got what you deserve, fellas, and a big, big well- done from me."

Meanwhile, former Australian World Cup-winner Nick Farr-Jones heaped generous praise on Clive Woodward's England heroes.

But Farr-Jones expects the Aussies to come back stronger in France in four years' time.

He said: "England are the best team and they have been the best team for three years. We realise we have been beaten by the better team.

"They weren't overly convincing. But there is no doubt that this is a great England team, and they deserved their victory."

Farr-Jones rubbished suggestions from many of his countrymen that England are poor champions because of their reliance on Jonny Wilkinson's boot.

"Everyone realised Wilkinson was the kingpin, but it's a fallacy to say England were one-dimensional. They were multi-faceted, in my opinion.

"But this Aussie team has great potential. We showed the Australian spirit, and we are very proud of them."