From prevrebial breakdown to winning the breakdown

Chris O'Keefe

What a difference one performance can make. Before Marseille last Saturday, talk was of England just trying to avoid an embarrassing defence of their crown and whether they could scrape past Tonga just to reach a match against Australia.

Suddenly after a performance of vigour - not seen by an Englishman or indeed the rugby fraternity since those heady days in Australia - England and their followers are realistically considering being the first side to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup. Unthinkable, at the end of last year, when Andy Robinson was relieved of his duties. Even at the beginning of this tournament, ranked a lowly seventh, the prospects of England playing competitive rugby seemed a distant wish.

The performance against South Africa lacked imagination, commitment and direction in the kicking and phases of play as Brian Ashton's men went nowhere whilst leaking points in defence.

However, since that fateful night England have stopped fretting about how to stop a team and have started playing their own game. From the kick off of the Samoa game the purpose was there and, admittedly with a few changes to the side and a Mr Wilkinson back, a cutting edge.

The defeat of Australia had much to do with a fantastic performance from the pack, in which they dominated the breakdown, made a huge number of turnovers and broke through the game line as Australia under the physical force. England back row, Nick Easter said he looked at the Australian players around ten minutes into the second half and believed England had them beaten.

How long has it been since an England side could say that of an opponent and proverbially stride with confidence into a major test match. As Easter suggested, confidence never wavered within the dressing room, even if the confidence was never around anywhere else.

That said England failed to score a try, a may have to be more clinical when taking chances. On a number of occasions chances were wasted to score a try which would have settled the game long before Stirling Mortlock missed his penalty.

The French are a different prospect. A great pack and plenty of attacking options in the back line. England must prepare as if the French will bring the best game to the Stade de France and fight fire with fire! No player can give anything less than their best.

Although the French are favourites, England have plenty of experience of beating Les Bleus and both sides had equally brutal quarter finals as the bruises will show. Jonny Wilkinson's boot has put French sides of the past to the sword and Paul Sackey, Jason Robinson and Josh Lewsey will pose a regular threat to the French try-line. And then of course the pack, still eager to prove their worth.

No one says it is going to be easy, but it is, most certainly, a possibility. A final with England involved? We've seen stranger sights!