As dinner dates go, for a rugby fan who wants to run the nation it is pretty ill-timed. Rather than enjoying the nail-biting tension of the world cup final, Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne will be holed up at a formal dinner in Norwich to talk about his vision for the party.

As dinner dates go, for a rugby fan who wants to run the nation it is pretty ill-timed.

Rather than enjoying the nail-biting tension of the world cup final, Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne will be holed up at a formal dinner in Norwich to talk about his vision for the party.

The gathering will hear about renewable energy and fuel consumption, not scrums and drop goals, as Mr Huhne discusses his environmental policies with Norwich South Lib Dems.

The shadow secretary of state for the environment, who came second in the previous contest, was scheduled to speak well before Sir Menzies Campbell resigned - and before England's rugby fortunes took a turn for the better.

His Norwich South spokesman, Simon Wright, who helped organise the event with his wife, Rosalind, shared the joke.

“It was organised months ago and I think no one thought that England were going to get through to the world cup final,” he said. “I'm not sure if he is a rugby fan - but I am sure he will be cross with us if he is, but I'm pretty sure that my wife is trying to work at getting a TV in there somehow.”

He added that some of the 60 people attending had been in touch to check whether they could catch the game.

The dinner starts at 7pm, an hour before kick-off.

“It's true that some are very keen to see how England get on,” said Mr Wright.

Mr Huhne was unavailable for comment, but his spokesman Charity Garnett said she believed that he was a keen rugby fan.

Councillors raised the flag at South Norfolk Council's headquarters in Long Stratton yesterday as a mark of support for England's rugby heroes this evening, and for Formula One racing ace Lewis Hamilton who is due to compete in the Brazilian Grand Prix tomorrow. A flag will also be raised at West Norfolk Council.