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PARIS - France coach Bernard Laporte highlighted a late missed try opportunity in Saturday's 14-9 semi-final defeat by England that cost the hosts a place in the World Cup final.
France were leading 9-8 after 68 minutes when wing Vincent Clerc seemed certain to score in the left-hand corner only to be brought down by an ankle-tap tackle by substitute flanker Joe Worsley.
England quickly regrouped to smother the French attack and eventually regained possession and kicked clear.
"That was our chance," said Laporte. "If we had scored that try we would have won the match, but we didn't.
"Semi-finals always come down to little things. That one came down to nothing."
Seven minutes later, first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson put the holders ahead from a penalty before sealing England's victory with a late drop goal.
"We are immensely disappointed because our goal was to reach the final and win it," said Laporte, whose team had recovered from a poor start to the tournament to upset favourites New Zealand in the quarter-finals.
"It's a failure but I don't think this wastes it all," Laporte said after France, losing finalists in 1987 and 1999 after famous semi-final wins over Australia and New Zealand respectively, again failed to back up a great performance.
"It's a pity because that team had desire, heart and soul."
Laporte was full of praise for England who, like France, had suffered in the pool stage with a humiliating 36-0 defeat by South Africa before bouncing back to knock out Australia in the last eight.
"England showed today that they are a great team," said Laporte, whose last game in charge will be Friday's third-fourth playoff.
France captain Raphael Ibanez was a survivor of France's defeat by England at the same stage four years ago and praised Wilkinson, who scored all England's points that night in a 24-7 win.
"He showed composure at important moments," the veteran hooker, who is expected to announce his international retirement after the tournament, said of the England number 10.
"He's a truly great player, that's all there is to say about him."
- REUTERS
