England eye place in final

by Thomas Rooney | England will be hopeful of reaching their third consecutive World Cup final this month, knowing they are just two games away. And they have been dealt a bit of good luck as well, avoiding any of the big Southern Hemisphere teams – Australia, South Africa, and of course New Zealand.

A semi-final clash with the Wallabies looked likely when the groups were announced ahead of the tournament, but when Ireland sprung one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, by beating Australia; they sent them to the other side of the draw.

Of course, it will be no easy task getting to the final of the World Cup – we’re now down to the serious business of the knockout stages.

But should England dismiss France at Eden Park on Saturday, the prospect of a mouth-watering clash, with British Isles opposition in Wales or Ireland, looms.

England managed to beat both of those sides in their warm-up games before the tournament, and will be confident of doing the same on the other side of the globe.

However, they have been playing to a level way short of their best recently, and know that they must up their game now. Performances like those against Argentina – during which the much talked about Black England Shirt was worn – and Scotland surely will not do.

Martin Johnson has included both Toby Flood and Johnny Wilkinson in his side for Saturday – a controversial decision – but one that has the potential to work.

Including two natural fly-halves in your side is unconventional, but it has been done in the past and had a degree of success.

Wilkinson will be deployed in his usual position, while Flood will be used as an inside centre. Having the option of a right footed kicker on the field as well as Wilkinson’s left may ultimately pay dividends.

By Saturday evening, we will know for sure whether this particular plan worked or back-fired.