England beat France to make Cup final
Sat 13 Oct, 09:59 PM
PARIS (Reuters) - Jonny Wilkinson kicked defending champions England
into next weekend's World Cup final with a 14-9 win over tournament
hosts France in an absorbing semi-final at the Stade de France on
Saturday.
Wilkinson landed two penalties and a drop goal after Josh Lewsey had
scored the only try of the match to break French hearts after they had
led the game for nearly an hour.
French flyhalf Lionel Beauxis landed three penalties from as many
attempts, including one long-range effort from near halfway, to give
France the slimmest of leads which they held until the 75th minute
before Wilkinson turned the match around with a penalty and a drop
goal.
England beat Australia in extra-time to win the last World Cup final
in 2003 and by beating France, they join Australia as the only
countries to play in three World Cup finals and two in succession.
Their opponents will be decided when the second semi-final between the
South Africa and Argentina takes place at the Stade de France on
Sunday 8:00 p.m. BST.
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