Vickery calls for major sacrifice

England captain Phil Vickery has called for "a sacrifice of body and soul" from his players when they target a second successive World Cup final appearance tomorrow night.

The reigning world champions — tournament no-hopers a month ago after South Africa humiliated them in record-breaking 36-0 fashion — now head back to Stade de France as one of only four countries still chasing rugby's golden prize.

Successive victories over Samoa, Tonga and latterly arch-enemies Australia has revived hope that England could achieve mission improbable and retain the Webb Ellis Trophy.

It would represent a unique feat, and a considerable one at that as resurgent host nation France — conquerors of tournament favourites New Zealand last weekend — now block their path to glory.

But Vickery has total belief in a squad that has dragged itself from the depths of despair to emerge as credible contenders.

And that stunning revival will be reflected in the volume of red rose support tomorrow, with an expected 40,000 English fans having already started to flood the French capital.

Vickery said: "The circumstances have changed. Suddenly there is anticipation from outside the camp of what is going to happen. It is a huge game, but as a group of players we have kept things very simple.

"As I said after the (Australia) game, to lose this weekend means nothing. It is totally different — we are playing the host nation in the semi-finals of the World Cup. We know we will have to perform better, so there is a lot of pressure on us as players. It is going to be a huge challenge.

"France are favourites, but I have got confidence in my team. It won't be easy, but if we didn't think we could win the game, we wouldn't be here. People are going to have to find performances within themselves they never thought they had.

"I don't want to go home, getting a pat on the back saying we nearly did it, I want to go home as part of a team that has achieved something, and it all comes down to 80 minutes tomorrow.

"If you haven't got that will to sacrifice your body and soul for the cause, then things won't happen."