At least 20 matches will be balloted at every price category, while the remaining 28 will be balloted in at least one of the four price bands.

The window for ticket applications closed yesterday.

People will find out if they have bagged any tickets during October, with remaining tickets going back on sale in the next phase in November.

"We are very pleased with the demand for tickets and the number of applications," said England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans.

"It is clear that, for many matches or price categories, demand has exceeded supply.

"We will be running ballots in the next few weeks to ensure tickets are allocated fairly and will let all customers know the results of their applications by the end of October and before we take payments.

"We will spend the next few weeks processing the applications, running ballots, ensuring as many rugby fans as possible get tickets and will provide a further detailed update next month."

Matches are due to be played from September 18 to October 31 across 13 stadiums in England and Wales.