Rugby World Cup Digest

Woodward guarded on JonnyOuthalf Jonny Wilkinson, England's key player in the World Cup final on Saturday, will have special security in the run-up to the match against defending champions Australia.

"We make sure a couple of people who are on the trip with us are always around him," England coach Clive Woodward told a news conference yesterday. "That has been happening for the last 12 months.

"We are going to look after him when we know there are lots of people around so it's not just the World Cup. It's not just in Australia. It's no big drama. He's a high-profile sports person."

Woodward, whose team defeated France 24-7 on Sunday with all the English points coming from Wilkinson's boot, also said the England management would also be taking security precautions to prevent any espionage before Saturday.

"We take our normal precautions which are professional and thorough," he said. "I don't really think the Australians will do anything untoward."

Woodward said special equipment was used to detect any hidden microphones or security bugs at team meetings and in the changing-rooms.

"But the bottom line is that if you have a got a team that is hell bent on watching you play using modern equipment, there's not a lot you can do about it," he said. "It's just being professional like any business, like any business meeting."

Derided as too old and too slow after some stumbling performances in the pool stages, England turned in a thoroughly professional display to defeat France in heavy rain. "We have done a lot of work after a pretty dodgy start to the tournament," Woodward said. "There was no way we were going to beat Australia if we kept playing like that."

Woodward said the management would look through the videos of the semi-finals and plan their strategy against the Wallabies who upset tournament favourites New Zealand 22-10 on Saturday.

"I think we can play in a whole variety of ways," Woodward said. "When people ask what do you think of the style of play, I struggle to answer that question because I think we can play any way we want.

"We will plan for that this week, like every other game for the last couple of years. It will be based on beating Australia."

Betsen cited over kicking incident

France flanker Serge Betsen has been cited to appear before a World Cup disciplinary panel for allegedly kicking an opponent during Sunday's World Cup semi-final defeat by England.

World Cup officials announced the citing in a brief statement yesterday. Betsen was cited by match citing commissioner Doug Hunter of Scotland and will appear before judicial officer Brian McLoughlin of Ireland tomorrow.

England scrumhalf Matt Dawson left the field with blood streaming from a head wound just before half-time in Sunday's match, which was comfortably won 24-7 by England.

In an unrelated incident, Betsen was given 10 minutes in the sin bin by referee Paddy O'Brien for a late tackle on England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson in the second half of the semi-final.

France's lack of discipline belied their early form in the tournament and cost them dearly against England. The loss relegated France, who had been rated as a good outside bet to win their first World Cup, to the play-off for third and fourth places against New Zealand on Thursday.

France, though, will face New Zealand shorn of significant talents.

"Les Bleus" will be without captain and scrumhalf Fabien Galthie, who has retired from international rugby, and injured winger Christophe Dominici. Prop Olivier Milloud and number eight Imanol Harinordoquy are also in doubt.

England regain top spot in rankings

England have regained the number one ranking from New Zealand after beating France to reach the World Cup final.

Clive Woodward's side moved from second position to first in the International Rugby Board's official list after their 24-7 win over the French on Sunday. Australia, who play England in the final, also leapt over New Zealand from fourth to second spot after beating the All Blacks 22-10 on Saturday.

The revised rankings mean the two top teams in the world will contest Saturday's final with the winner assured of taking the number one spot. New Zealand slipped to third while France, who were third last week, dropped one place to fourth.

Rankings: 1. (2) England 92.13 2. (4) Australia 88.44 3. (1) New Zealand 88.17 4. (3) France 84.66 5. (5) South Africa 81.23 6. (6) Ireland 80.53 7. (7) Argentina 78.02 8. (8) Wales 76.92 9. (9) Scotland 76.36 10. (10) Samoa 73.46.

Watson arrives on the double

South African referee Andre Watson will make history next Saturday when he takes charge of England's Rugby World Cup final against Australia.

Watson refereed the 1999 showdown between the Wallabies and France in Cardiff and will be the first official to officiate in two World Cup finals. He will be backed by New Zealand pair Paddy O'Brien and Paul Honiss.

England's Chris White referees the third place play-off between New Zealand and France on Thursday. Ireland's David McHugh will run the line along with Australian Peter Marshall.

French press get a taste for 'Rosbifs'

While the New Zealand press indulged in recrimination and self-flagellation after the All Blacks' defeat by Australia on Saturday, the French media were slightly less hysterical in their analysis of the performance of "Les Bleus" against England on Sunday, some even offering scarcely believable admiration for England's asphyxiating style of play.

L'Equipe: From winning the ball to their mastering of the climate, the English team transformed itself into a giant iron hand which held their rivals' shoulders. France became so frail that they were unable to cope with the pressure of the event. England have earned the right to represent the Northern Hemisphere in the final. Yesterday we realised that rugby, at that level, is a fighting sport which requires control and authority. The indisciplined French pupils got their knuckles rapped by their English masters. And it hurt.

Le Parisien: The French had arrived in Australia under the sunshine and full of determination, but their ship let water in yesterday. Overwhelmed by a fearless English side, "Les Bleus" never managed to challenge Jonny Wilkinson's supremacy, nor his courageous team mates. Bernard Laporte and his players had been dreaming of this World Cup for four years, but the result splashed into their faces. Making repetitive mistakes and lacking control in the game, France failed on D-Day.

Le Monde: France were defeated by a strong English team who managed to take smart advantage of the weather conditions. English rain, English game, English penalties and thus English victory. "Les Bleus" suffered a cruel defeat and will not be part of the World Cup final after being tremendously dominated by the English, so sure of their game. Bogged down by the English forwards, clumsy in all their attempts to set the pace, France gave their worst performance since the competition started. They lost all the way.

Liberation: The whole world saw the true face of England and above all their exceptional capacity to adapt to disastrous climatic conditions for a World Cup semi-final. We are not certain though whether rugby won in terms of promotion or reputation.