Johnno on...England's win over France

Greetings after another night of glory for England. We're in the final after a hard-earned victory over France - and what a night it was in Paris.

So how have Brian Ashton's side done it? We've had two games now that have gone pretty much just how England wanted them to go.

We had to get a good start, and we did just that through Josh Lewsey's try. But France bounced back and led at half time. There were so many critical periods when they came back into the game. They made headway when they held on to the ball, but then they stopped doing it. They started kicking.

It was a strange game in some ways. The French became very cautious, and I thought they could have pressed home their advantage, but our defence held.

They started to kick desperately and Jason Robinson made a few comfortable marks. One of the key moments came with the cross-kick in the second half, when we kept them out with some great tackles.

Then Jonny Wilkinson kicked a penalty and England were back in the game. France brought on Michalak but he didn't make much of an impact. And Chabal having to come on fairly early in the first half was a big factor in upsetting the French at that stage.

When England's replacements came on they did really well, with Hipkiss impressing at 13. He and the others who came off the bench gave England the boost they needed in the second half. And I thought Sackey was one of our best defenders.

As for Jonny, he was probably beaten in the kicking game out of hand, but when the chances came late on with the penalties and drop goal, he took them.

You can talk tactics all day, but when it comes to the crunch the guys have to go out there and make it happen. England did that in another gutsy display.

France, Australia and New Zealand will all be sitting back and kicking themselves, no doubt thinking that they're better teams than England.

But we're in the final once again. It's amazing - and I can't wait for next Saturday.

Comments

[Big Rog]

What a game! The French cockerel had its neck well and truly wrung. The much vaunted French backline was given few chances to get going and was stopped every time. Even Caveman Chabal was reduced to Barney Rubble. England may not have thrown the ball around like the Barbarians in full exhibitionist mode but we remembered to win, a trait that seems to be looked down on by many antipodean aesthetes who nowadays favour style over function. Doubtless these same worthies will spend many happy hours welcoming home their empty handed heroes. The French were brave on the pitch and have been magnanimous in defeat, making the bile and ill will that has emerged from some Southern Hemisphere teams and supporters all the more risible.
Now we have to face the might of South Africa. They are every bit as talented as France with one exception - Brian Habana. He has phenominal vision and matchless timing. That's why he gets so many interception tries, his speed and ball handling help as well. If he can be played out of the game then England can win again and then it's Yah Boo Sucks to the critics
I'm in the dog house again after Saturday night so it's just as well that he's moved out. He was last seen on an M1 slip road with his thumb out, holding a sign for Barking. There were a few sticky moments on Saturday during half time when the local thrash metal band, who rehearse down the street, came to complain about the noise. We should be ok this week - they have a gig in Blackpool.
I just want to say GOOD LUCK ENGLAND. This one will be the toughest of the lot, but that's how it should be in a World Cup Final. I believe that they will do it. If they don't; then the march to the 2011 tournament starts on Monday, (I think they should have Sunday off.)

[Carl Stewart]

England hung on in the first half and wore the French down, we took control in the second half and powered home the advantage. I think we beat the French mentally, which wore them out physically, and this got us over the line. Lets hope we can do the same against South Africa at the weekend. NB: Martin, if you read this, it's your old school mate from Ridgeway Primary Market Harborough.

[Rita-Marie Lawlor]

I do think England deserve this one - what a turn around after not doing too well in the pool stages and scoring nothing against SA the last time they faced them. This has to be one of the best RWC's so far and extremely unpredictable - (only downside for me was the Irish who didn't show up at all) it was a great weekend of rugby!. I think England are going to do it again. Have a great time next week I'm sure your nerves will be working overtime!. I just wish I could be there to photograph it!.