Rugby World Cup: Sir Clive Woodward - Forget about the Rugby World Cup final if you want to get there

Oct 8 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD has told England to forget about the World Cup final as they attempt to retain their title in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Woodward, who led the nation to their triumph in Australia four years ago, was in the crowd in Marseille as Brian Ashton’s men overturned the odds to dump Australia out of the competition to book a semi-final clash with hosts France.

However, he has warned Ashton’s men they cannot afford even to think about the final as they attempt to upset the form book once again in Paris next weekend.

Woodward said: “They have got two games. It is right there, but they have just got to concentrate on next week.

“Forget the final, you have got to concentrate on somehow coming off that pitch against France with more points than them, which sounds so obvious.

“It is not about being flash next week.

“It is just about working out ways to put this French team under huge pressure and just keeping taking the points.

Sir Clive added: “They know France very, very well and the French players will know them well, but there are no hang-ups for England beating France at all.”