The French telephone system will be put to the test tomorrow morning when the organisers of this summer's World Cup finals open their lines to put 110,000 tickets, for 55 first and second round matches (excluding the opening match between Brazil and Scotland), up for sale. Ninety lines will open at 7.00 am Irish time, closing at 7.00 pm, and will be manned until April 30th, or until all tickets are sold. Prices will range from £15 (sterling) to £35 for first round matches and £20 to £50 for second-round games.

Each caller will be allowed purchase up to four tickets per game, with an overall limit of 16 tickets per person. Tickets can be paid for with a credit card or by cheque (which must be made out in French Francs and received by the organisers within seven days).

Calls from Ireland (and other EC countries, excluding France): 0033-149-87-53-54. Calls from within France: 08-03-00-19-98.