England vs France Semi Final Match Preview
England captain Phil Vickery has called for “a sacrifice of body and soul” from his players when they target a second successive World Cup final appearance on Saturday.
The reigning world champions - tournament no-hopers a month ago after South Africa humiliated them in record-breaking 36-0 fashion - now head back to Stade de France as one of only four countries still chasing rugby’s golden prize.
Successive victories over Samoa, Tonga and latterly arch-enemies Australia has revived hope that England could achieve mission improbable and retain the Webb Ellis Trophy.
It would represent a unique feat, and a considerable one at that as resurgent host nation France - conquerors of tournament favourites New Zealand last weekend - now block their path to glory.
But Vickery has total belief in a squad that has dragged itself from the depths of despair to emerge as credible contenders.
And that stunning revival will be reflected in the volume of red rose support on Saturday, with an expected 40,000 English fans having already started to flood the French capital.
Vickery said: “The circumstances have changed. Suddenly there is anticipation from outside the camp of what is going to happen. It is a huge game, but as a group of players we have kept things very simple.
“As I said after the (Australia) game, to lose this weekend means nothing. It is totally different - we are playing the host nation in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
“We know we will have to perform better, so there is a lot of pressure on us as players. It is going to be a huge challenge.
“France are favourites, but I have got confidence in my team. It won’t be easy, but if we didn’t think we could win the game, we wouldn’t be here. People are going to have to find performances within themselves they never thought they had.
“I don’t want to go home, getting a pat on the back saying we nearly did it, I want to go home as part of a team that has achieved something, and it all comes down to 80 minutes.
“If you haven’t got that will to sacrifice your body and soul for the cause, then things won’t happen. I am just very proud of the guys, because when all is said and done, you think back and there are some absolute heroes in this team.”
England field five survivors from their 2003 World Cup final team - Wilkinson, Vickery, Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey and Ben Kay - with that victory over Australia coming just a week after they sunk semi-final opponents France 24-7.
France flanker Serge Betsen has dubbed Wilkinson “an example of professionalism and perseverance” as he prepares to renew hostilities with his old England rival.
Wilkinson and Betsen know each other well, and have had more than one battle royal in recent years.
Betsen gave the Newcastle fly-half the roughest of rides in an RBS 6 Nations match in 2002, harrying him from start to finish in a masterful back-row performance at the Stade de France.
Wilkinson got his own back in the World Cup semi-final a year later, booting Les Bleus out of the competition in the Sydney rain in a match that saw Betsen yellow-carded for a late hit on the England playmaker.
Wilkinson has recovered from persistent injury problems over the past four years to became England’s mainstay once again. And it is his boot that has guided the world champions into the semi-finals here against the odds.
Betsen, who will look to stop Wilkinson dead in his tracks, still regards his old foe as the “best number 10 in the world” and has nothing but respect for the way he has fought back from injury.
“He has shown everybody he is still the best, simply the best,” Betsen said. “He has shown to everybody he has been out of action for three or four years but he is still able to be ready for the World Cup.
“That is great for him. I congratulate him for this. It’s an example of professionalism and perseverance.”
England and France have laid their cards on the table by selecting unchanged teams for the semi-final.
Kicking is set to dominate the contest and, with Wilkinson around, that will more than suit the world champions.
Betsen knows it will be a battle of the boot, adding: “Four years ago, their game was focused on this direction, and they planned their game on that strategy. We saw that last week against Australia, and I think it will be the same again.”
Tags: rugby betting, 2007 rugby world cup, rwc
