After an unconvincing start to the tournament England have pulled out some amazing performances, beating Australia last week in the quarter finals, and beating France last night in the semi's to secure a place in the final.
It is a bitter pill for the french press to swallow, and today Le Journal du Dimanche was the most scathing in its condemnation of Les Bleus
"The great four-year journey, with a preparation unequalled in the history of French sport, is a patent failure of which the analysis should spare no-one,"
"France came up against the world champions like a bull wearing blinkers, running into a solid white wall."
L'Equipe, the main sports daily in France, praised the work ethic and opportunism of England.
"With formidable tenacity, England waited for their time - or rather their last five minutes,"
"In their disciplined way, the white defence held off all the untidy attacking assaults of the French. It was as if they knew their moment would come.
"And it came through the surges of Robinson, who played the last few minutes here as if they were pre-ordained.
"And choosing to live by the boot, France finished by dying by the boot, the majestic boot - it has to be said - of Wilkinson."
"In deservedly losing to England, the hopes of Les Bleus which had sprung up after their exploits against the All Blacks in the last round were knocked down.
"They lacked the physical freshness and inspiration to erase the failure of 2003," it added, in reference to France's 24-7 defeat to England in the last World Cup.
GOOD LUCK in the Final Boys
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