The Serve

England into Cup final

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Coaches reaction to England win

In one of sports great turnarounds, England has gone from the rugby wilderness to the World Cup final, after a hard fought 14-9 win over France at the Stade De France in Paris.

England, who were soundly beaten by South Africa then struggled to get past Tonga and Samoa just to get through the pool stage, built their victory around a typically steely defence and the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, which again was wayward but delivered when it counted.

The visitors were off to a stunning start when winger Josh Lewsey pounced on an Andy Gomarsall kick to crash through French fullback Damien Traille in the second minute.

Lewsey would go into the record books with the fastest try in World Cup history.

The French then took charge, taking the lead into the break via penalties to fly-half Lionel Beauxis. That lead was extended to 9-5 early in the second half with another penalty.

England pegged the gap to within one, before the hosts gave away a penalty in the 74th minute. Wilkinson, who missed two kicks at goal and a drop goal, nailed the penalty conversion to give his side a lead they would not surrender.

In the final moments, the England fly-half sweetly struck a drop goal to put a stamp on the victory, which sends the world champions into its third World Cup final.

Wilkinson was superb in general play, while winger Jason Robinson proved his worth by creating the penalty which swung the lead England’s way in the dying stages. Robinson was lurking dangerously with the ball, until tackled high within kicking range.

The result is a replica of the semi finals in 2003.