England v France - World Cup Rugby Semi-Final

That was quick, 5 points within 2:35... try to Lewsey...

Jonny misses the conversion, he doesn't like these balls...

What a catch and call for mark by Robinson (the old man!)

Frantic play and Gommarsal steals it from his opposite number

France have a lot of the ball and look good

What a tackle by Jonny, but then a penalty given away...

3:5

Lost a ball at a line-out, that should be our strength along with scrum

Then a chase through and a 5 metre scrum, Mark Regan not the quickest ball chaser...

918:836 scrum weights to England, doesn't look that big a difference...


OK I cannot watch the rugby, eat my Rosbif and blog, so no more blogging for a bit............




I am betwixt steaks but here's Jonny........Noooooo


6:5 at half time - nice steak and the Valpolicella - a Classico Superiore 2003 - is slipping down very nicely!


A very odd score line, England have the only try and France 3 penalties...

La Casetta 2003 is very quaffable...

8:9 a penalty from Jonny and the view from behind shows it's not as easy as you might think...

Interesting that Jonny swapped balls before the penalty kick, there should be 6 marked match balls, maybe there are some extra odd ones out there, perfidious these French!

The trouble with Valpolicella is that the bottles are very heavy so you think that your are drinking slowly and there is loads left when in fact you are quaffing like Oliver Reed!

Michalak is on, he scares me, he can be amazing or crap!

This is a big play, France have a long discussion, England await them.... Here we go .....what a pass under pressure back, missed drop goal by the scary but crap at kicking Michalak...

Why the f*** did Tait play that ball, it was going out, pillock...

Moody off, Lewsey on - We will miss Moody's attacking of the kicker ...

Tackle by Gommarasal...

How was that an Englad knock on?

I fear I am a little inebriated!

What a take by Sackey, top drawer...

I think I have a second bottle of this La Casetta in the rack, should I?

Probably best not too as my typing accuarcy is dropping

Jonny misses a drop goal with his right foot and then Jason what a run!

What a turn over by Mat Stevens but lost...

One heck of a tackle by Steven on Cheval

Attritional rugby and the tackling is fierce, 15 minutes to go and bollo**** turnover ball but cleared a bit

A French rolling maul and a Michalak kick but Tait took it.........

England have a bearded forward and Robinson takes a good catch, close, close, close...

under 15 minutes to go.......

Betsen of an Hari.... on

That was f***ing close, Worsley may have saved us...

England slow it up with a tactical head bandage, smart thinking - Catt off Flood on, hopefully Catt will paly in te Final!

Poor French ball, and then ... but an England penalty?

Caplin really hates "holding on"!

Dalaglio on ...

Gomarsal collides with the touch judge and looks a bit crocked... Slow it down England... this is a frenetic game, Richards on? yes...

You cannot call this game, Jonny injured and no replacement on the bench! Michalak also injured, this is too tense...

Robinson having his best game for years...


PENALTY 30 out and in front of the posts... Jonny must, mustn't he?

Changed the ball and 9:11 England are in front again!

This is so tense, the caveman blew it there! and a raised forearm so an England clearing penalty with 4 minutes left!

England rolling maul....

Jonny with a drop goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9:14 but............... and a knock on by France....

1 minute to GO...

Slowly lads, slowly!

That was tense as France keep attacking... but England win - I do not believe it...

That was a hell of a match and my mate Simon predicted a 5 point victory for England just before the start.......

Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes...

This England team is not the team of 2003 but it has a certain something... bloody mindedness I think! They aren't pretty and they don't play pretty but it's beeter than under Will Carling! Bloody close though...

Australia and now France, next will it be South Africa and revenge for the 36:0 or Argentina?

Now where to watch the match next weekend? With the South African mother-in-law or just where the atmosphere will be best?

I think Greenwood is about to "peak too early", and a "hell of a beating" comment - I think not, but it was good - "look back in anger" being sung?

Highlights... and that was a heck of a tap tackle by Worsely...

That is a lot of beer bottles on the tables at Gloucester Rugby Club!

Brian Ashton! Is he for real, I don't see a future for him as a motivational speaker like Clive Woodward. Looks more like a decent country town butcher!
LOW KEY!!!

and now pudding.... Some "French Fancies" I didn't dare during the match...!