Rugby World Cup 2007 Semi Final
ENGLAND 14 - 9 FRANCE
Match Review

Four years is a very long time. Since November 22, 2003, England have only been able to celebrate crumbs, the odd performance now and then, and just about nothing else. When Andy Robinson was forced out as head coach 11 months ago, England’s hopes of even a creditable World Cup defence were in tatters. Fast forward to October 13...

Has it sunk in yet? England are in a World Cup Final, again. After the utter embarrassment of the game against South Africa in the pool stages, England have picked themselves up into one of the most miraculous sporting comebacks in recent times. Even after two more than decent wins and eight tries against Pacific Islanders Samoa and Tonga, most of the rugby world was writing Brian Ashton’s men off before they faced the Wallabies. England clearly hadn’t read the script. Yet even after that win in Marseille, England still went into the semi final against France as underdogs. A France team who’d just beaten the All Blacks, with a bench brimming with talent and a not too shabby starting XV either, at home, one step away from playing in a final, what could go wrong?

England made a spectacular start, taking the lead after just 80 seconds - courtesy of glaring complacency in defence. Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall launched a speculative kick into the French 22, but full-back Damien Traille chose to invite a chasing Lewsey instead of clearing possession - and the result was costly. Lewsey pounced on Traille's indecision, touching down wide out - but Wilkinson missed the touchline conversion, before Beauxis kicked an eighth-minute penalty.

France soon established themselves in the game, monopolising possession as they edged ahead when Beauxis landed a 48-metre penalty - after powerhouse England scrummager Andrew Sheridan was punished for incorrect binding.

England kept themselves in contention despite the French onslaught, and France suffered a 25th-minute injury blow when lock Fabien Pelous hobbled off. Pelous, who came off second-best in a collision with Wilkinson, was replaced by France's consistently damaging impact substitute Sebastien Chabal though it was unlikely Laporte wanted the Sale Sharks bruiser on this early in the match. He was immediately in the wars, taking a heavy blow in a tackle - which illustrated England had no intention of playing second fiddle.

But England suffered an injury blow on the stroke of half-time, losing Lewsey with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss replaced him, meaning a switch to the wing for outside centre Mathew Tait; yet England remained firmly in contention at 6-5 adrift.

The second quarter proved a hugely disappointing affair, after such an intense opening - and with neither side's kicking game operating at maximum efficiency, errors abounded.

Beauxis duly completed his penalty hat-trick on 44 minutes, but it was a harsh decision awarded against England by South African referee Jonathan Kaplan for an illegal ruck entry.

England stormed back up field, and Wilkinson rifled over an angled penalty - narrowing the gap to 9-8 when France failed to clear following a bungled Yannick Jauzion kick.

Laporte could wait no longer, sending Michalak on after 51 minutes - but he also sprung a surprise, replacing captain Raphael Ibanez with Szarzewski. England almost regained the lead after 59 minutes. But Wilkinson's drop-goal attempt hit the post, before full-back Robinson produced a dazzling run which highlighted an encouraging Red Rose spell of pressure.

France, despite enjoying the lion's share of possession and territory, could not break clear on the scoreboard - which meant England were still in contention.

When substitute flanker Joe Worsley produced a stunning try-saving tackle on Les Bleus wing Vincent Clerc, it underlined England's never-say-die spirit.

But one final devastating run by Robinson caused the French to concede a penalty right in front of goal and Wilkinson did the rest and the World Cup-winning hero of 2003 added a drop-goal three minutes later.

The hosts threw everything at the champions in a series of desperate late attacks, but Brian Ashton's side held out to claim the chance to defend their title against South Africa next Saturday.

After the match, Ashton said his players used all of the criticism and their past experience to power past the home favourites at the Stade de France.

"We knew it was going to be tough tonight but we did think we had a side that could go out and beat France. We didn't actually get things right in the first half but we were a bit smarter in the second in terms of achieving field position. And we knew eventually we would get within sight of their posts and Jonny would kick them over."

The victory was England's first in Paris since 2000, and the size of the achievement was not lost on an emotional Phil Vickery.

"It is just a brilliant day," said the England captain. "To beat France in France in a World Cup semi-final is a huge effort from everyone. It was not a fantastic game of rugby; it was two teams desperate to win a game. But it had everything in it - fair play to the boys, they dug in and we had a bit of luck. Sometimes in sport things don't make sense and predictions are not right, and it is a very special day when the underdog rises up."

Match-winner Wilkinson, meanwhile, admitted he was not 100% happy with his kicking and insisted England would swiftly turn their thoughts to becoming the first in history to retain the World Cup.

"We have faced some incredible teams in this tournament - and none stronger than the one we have taken out tonight," he said. "That was an incredible performance by the French and I don't think my body has ever felt so sore. It has been a funny story, this World Cup. Some of my kicks have gone over and some have not. But you just go back to it and give it all you have got.

"I had a better time at the end (of the match) - and I'll accept that. But I realise I need to get back working. We have learned by going one game at a time. We have a day and an hour to really let it sink in. But don't fool yourselves for a second that the guys are not going to be thinking straightaway about going out and winning it next week."

South Africa will be yet another step up for the England boys. Argentina showed what a danger they can be if they’re gifted half a chance. England’s transformation has been quite remarkable, they’re not playing fancy rugby, they’re playing winning rugby and it’ll take every ounce of that bulldog spirit next week if the ‘grumpy old men’ have a chance of retaining the World Cup. England are underdogs going into their final game... sound familiar?

Match details

Scores:
First half: 5-0 Lewsey try, 5-3 Beauxis pen, 5-6 Beauxis pen.
Second half: 5-9 Beauxis pen, 8-9 Wilkinson pen, 11-9 Wilkinson pen, 14-9 Wilkinson d-g.

England: J Robinson; P Sackey, M Tait, M Catt, J Lewsey; J Wilkinson, A Gomarsall; A Sheridan, M Regan, P Vickery (capt), S Shaw, B Kay, M Corry, L Moody, N Easter.
Replacements: G Chuter (Regan 65), M Stevens (Vickery 55), L Dallaglio (Easter 69), J Worsley (Moody 53), P Richards (Gomarsall 70), T Flood (Catt 68), D Hipkiss (Lewsey 39).

France: D Traille; V Clerc, D Marty, Y Jauzion, C Heymans; L Beauxis, J-B Elissalde; O Milloud, R Ibanez (capt), P de Villiers, F Pelous, J Thion, S Betsen, T Dusautoir, J Bonnaire.
Replacements: D Szarzewski (Ibanez 50), J-B Poux (de Villiers 65), S Chabal (Pelous 24), I Harinordoquy (Betsen), F Michalak (Beauxis 50), C Dominici (Heymans 61).
Referee: J Kaplan (South Africa)