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So England made the semi-finals against all the odds having turned over the Ozzies and were expected by most people on the know to get thrashed by the French, who would surely be bouyed by a huge partisan crowd in the Stade de France.  It was not to be. 

If we are to believe the rumours, the England Rugby World Cup team have turned their performances around and motiviated themselves by playing the “The Gambler” a well known Kenny Rodgers song.  (Kenny Rodgers is a country and western singer for those not so well versed as the England Rugby team).

Unlike their predecessors it seems this team thrive on being the underdogs and the doom merchants insisting they have no chance.  Let’s hope this continues for the final where South Africa are clear favourites and would have been even if they hadn’t thrashed us 36-0 earlier in the tournament.  The good news is that not only has no side ever retained the Web Ellis Trophy but also no team have ever won it having lost a game in the group stages.  So really nothing to lose then!

Overall Saturday’s match was not a great spectacle but as I mentioned a long time ago now when talking about the England football team, sometimes its good to win ugly.  I’m sure if England grind out another close win on Saturday having spent 40 minutes kicking the ball about rather than running in 5 tries that there will be few people chastising them for it!