England hardman Lawrence Dallaglio celebrates England's win against France. Photo / Brett Phibbs
PARIS - England coach Brian Ashton hailed England's 14-9 rugby World Cup semifinal win over France as a typical 'British bulldogs' performance.
Defending champions England will face either South Africa, against whom they lost 36-0 in the first round pool matches, or Argentina in next Sunday's (NZ time)
final.
"People talk about the British bulldog character and these lads have it in spades," said Ashton.
"We knew it would be tough. We didn't get it quite right at times but we played a lot smarter in the second half in terms of field position.
"We knew that if we got in sight of their posts we could put the kicks over."
England had been written off as a team too old to defend their title but have bounced back after suffering that record World Cup defeat to the Springboks last month, also at the Stade de France.
"Sport is a very strange animal sometimes," said Phil Vickery, the England captain.
"That South Africa game was a very bitter pill to swallow for everyone, not just players but coaches and supporters.
"The games against Samoa and Tonga were like a final, they were knockout games where we knew we were going home (if England lost)," the prop forward, nicknamed 'Raging Bull', added.
Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked all the points in the quarterfinal win over Australia last week, was successful with two penalties and a trademark drop goal today to break French hearts on their home ground.
"We have a lot of bright lads in this squad," said Ashton.
"They have been through the mill in this tournament and before. But you can't buy experience. They never give up."
Vickery also praised his team's fighting spirit, then added: "Who would have said three weeks ago England would be in the World Cup final? It's a magical thing, the World Cup. There's always a twist in the tale."
- AFP
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