Rugby Union has received a boost after England World Cup win

Britain's 100,000 amateur sports clubs will be entitled to 80% rates relief by becoming a Community Amateur Sports Clubs, Mr Brown announced.

The move should be worth between �1,000 and �3,000 to the typical club, he told MPs in his pre-Budget report.

They will also benefit from a doubling of the threshold at which they start paying corporation tax, to �50,000.

"The importance of sport to our communities and to our whole country has been demonstrated most powerfully as the England Rugby World Cup triumph is enthusiastically celebrated throughout the whole of the United Kingdom," Mr Brown said.

He added: "In partnership with the sports governing bodies we will work to ensure that all sports clubs - over 100 in each constituency - can share in the considerable financial benefits as they promote sports in their communities."