England rugby fans warned: Don't sell tickets to the Irish as prices reach $8385

England players react after losing their Six Nations test to France. Photo / AP

England fans with tickets for their final Six Nations match were have been warned off selling them on the secondary market amid a clamour from Ireland supporters to witness their country's bid for only their third Grand Slam and first on St Patrick's Day.

Ireland travel to Twickenham on Saturday having already won their third championship in six years following their victory over Scotland and England's defeat in France.

This weekend's match had previously been billed as a title – and even a potential Grand Slam – decider but the best England can now hope for is to claim the runners-up spot, with even a fifth-placed finish not out of the question for the 2016 and 2017 champions.

Holders of tickets for the Saturday's showdown were asking for up to £4,400 (NZ$8385) per seat on the secondary market on Monday in defiance of the Rugby Football Union's ticket terms and conditions.

Those terms and conditions stipulate any unwanted tickets must only be sold on only via the RFU's official online ticket exchange, as well as warning anyone found in possession of a ticket obtained though unauthorised means will be denied entry to this weekend's match and risk being barred from attending future games at Twickenham.

With Cheltenham Festival also taking place this week, Irish sports fans are expected to travel to the UK in their thousands ahead of what could be their country's third Grand Slam since 1948 following their nail-biting triumph in Wales nine years ago.

An RFU spokeswoman told Telegraph Sport: "The England v Ireland match at Twickenham is sold out, and has been for a long time. There is huge interest in the match.

"Our stance on the secondary market is very clear – Twickenham tickets cannot be sold on secondary websites. It is a clear breach of our ticketing terms and conditions, and we are constantly monitoring the marketplace.

"Our message to rugby fans is clear – don't risk your money by purchasing tickets from a secondary site because if you do, there is a good chance you won't be able to get in.

"As ever, we want tickets to go to rugby fans who want to come to the match – and not to people who want to trade them as a commodity."