England 14–9 France

The defending World Cup champions beat the hosts 14-9 in their semi-final in Paris on Saturday night thanks to a late penalty and drop-goal from Jonny Wilkinson.

The Scorers:

England [14]
Try: Josh Lewsey
Penalties: Jonny Wilkinson (2)
Drop goal: Jonny Wilkinson

France [09]
Penalties: Lionel Beauxis (3)

What they said:

Jason Robinson

“Everybody thought we wouldn’t have enough but we pulled together and we are in the final.

“It was another massive game; it was not a pretty game but we dug in deep right until the last second and we came up with a great win.”

Lawrence Dallaglio

“We turned it around. The last couple of games we started to play at Test match intensity. The lads have lifted to another level.”

Brian Ashton

“We knew it was going to be tough – but we did think we had the side to beat France.

“We didn’t get it right at times in the first half – but once we started playing smarter in the second half in achieving field position, we knew eventually we would get in sight of their posts and managed to pop goals over.

“There are some bright lads out there. They have been through the mill in this tournament and before. You can’t buy experience like that – and these guys will not give up.

“You talk about the British Bulldog spirit, and it is here in spades in this group.”

Phil Vickery

“It is just a brilliant day. To beat France in France in a World Cup semi-final is a huge effort from everyone – and we are looking forward to next week.

“It was not a great game of rugby, but it had everything in it – fair play to the boys, they dug in. We have worked hard. It hasn’t been great, but we have kept digging in and had a bit of luck.

“This was one of those very, very special days when the underdog rises up and manages to get through. Jonny is a great rugby player. People just talk about his kicks, but it is his all-round game and the confidence he gives the team.

“It was not a fantastic game of rugby. It was played by two teams desperate to win a game. We managed to keep ourselves together for long enough periods of time squeak it.

“It was a fantastic day for everyone involved with the team. It is difficult to single players out. It is a team performance.

“Everyone worked hard to get into a position to get the drop-goals and the penalties.

“With that final kick, if you had to put your mortgage on it he would be your man. He duly stepped up to dink it over like it was a Sunday afternoon stroll.”

Raphael Ibanez

“It is difficult to find the words to express my disappointment.

“We thought this would be the match, but it was difficult in the end and the result did not go in our favour.

“We will need a few days to digest this. But this is sport – it goes one way or the other.

“England deserved to win and they took their chances when it mattered.

“You have to recognise the cool of Wilkinson.

“In these important moments, he is a great player, that’s all you can say.

“But tonight, I don’t want to talk about England. We wish them good luck but personally I would like to talk about our courage in this competition.

“The Argentina defeat was difficult to take, but we have to hold our heads up that we could come back.

“I want to emphasise the team spirit and thank the coach for his efforts.

Bernard Laporte

“I would like to congratulate my France team.

“We put our heart and soul into this competition and this game. We are a great rugby nation, and the players can hold their heads up high.

“When you see the path that we followed, you can say we did well.

“We are very disappointed as the aim was to win this match and get into the final. It stops tonight but I don’t think it was a bad World Cup by us.

“The England team were strong but we expected this kind of match.

“They occupied a lot of territory but we were not able to do that. We were not able to make the break and not able to score.

“It was difficult to get back into match when we went behind at the end. We weren’t in their 22 enough but it was two teams who were pretty equal throughout. It was that kind of match.

“Pelous going off was one of the important moments. Sebastien played well but his power lost a bit because he had to play for an hour.

“We would have preferred to use Sebastien late on, after using Pelous more. It didn’t prejudice us but it did not help us.”

Jonny Wilkinson

“We have faced some incredible teams in this tournament – and none stronger than the one we have taken out.

“It has been a funny story, this World Cup. Some have gone over and some have not.

“You just go back to it and give it all you have got. I had a better time at the end – and I’ll accept that. But I understand I need to get back working.

“We have learned by going one game at a time. We have a day and an hour to let it sink in, before we learn more about the win.”