Post by Salem6 on Nov 14, 2003 11:41:43 GMT
Sun 16 Nov | 0900 GMT | Sydney - Telstra Stadium
Hill is a huge presence for England
Europe's top teams go head-to-head in what promises to be a titanic tussle in the second semi-final on Sunday.
England have received a massive boost with the news that flanker Richard Hill is fit to return to action.
The influential back-rower has not played since damaging his hamstring during England's opening World Cup game against Georgia.
But he has finally proved his fitness and is back in the ranks in what coach Clive Woodward described as his strongest XV.
Woodward also welcomes back Josh Lewsey from injury and calls up Trevor Woodman and Mike Catt.
Catt played an influential role in the second half against Wales and keeps his place in midfield alongside Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood.
Skipper Martin Johnson has emphasised the need for England to make a marked improvement. "We know if we don't improve, we'll get beaten, it's as simple as that," he said.
France, the only team to beat England in more than two years, are in prime form.
Les Bleus have had a number of impressive outings down under and booked their semi-final spot with a convincing 43-21 win over Ireland.
Coach Bernard Laporte has, as expected, stuck with the winning formula.
Fly-half Frederic Michalak, the tournament's top scorer with 101 points, continues his partnership with veteran scrum-half Fabien Galthie.
The outstanding back-row combination of Serge Betsen, Olivier Magne and Imanol Harinordoquy will be looking to nullify the threat of Wilkinson.
The only changes come on the bench where David Auradou, Clement Poitrenaud, Damien Traille and Christian Labit are drafted in.
The encounter will be the third time the two teams have met in the World Cup.
Moore on the Paris bloodbath
In 1991, England were 19-10 winners in a hard-fought Paris quarter-final, while the French gained revenge four years later in the third-fourth place play-off in Pretoria with a 19-9 victory.
In the 82 previous meetings between the two sides, England boast 45 wins to France's 30.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England: J Lewsey; J Robinson, W Greenwood, M Catt, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; T Woodman, S Thompson, P Vickery; M Johnson (capt), Ben Kay; R Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio.
Replacements: D West, J Leonard, M Corry, L Moody, K Bracken, M Tindall, I Balshaw.
France: N Brusque; A Rougerie, T Marsh, Y Jauzion, C Dominici; F Michalak, F Galthie (capt); J Crenca, R Ibanez, S Marconnet; F Pelous, J Thion; S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Y Bru, O Milloud, D Auradou, C Labit, G Merceron, D Traille, C Poitrenaud.
Hill is a huge presence for England
Europe's top teams go head-to-head in what promises to be a titanic tussle in the second semi-final on Sunday.
England have received a massive boost with the news that flanker Richard Hill is fit to return to action.
The influential back-rower has not played since damaging his hamstring during England's opening World Cup game against Georgia.
But he has finally proved his fitness and is back in the ranks in what coach Clive Woodward described as his strongest XV.
Woodward also welcomes back Josh Lewsey from injury and calls up Trevor Woodman and Mike Catt.
Catt played an influential role in the second half against Wales and keeps his place in midfield alongside Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood.
Skipper Martin Johnson has emphasised the need for England to make a marked improvement. "We know if we don't improve, we'll get beaten, it's as simple as that," he said.
France, the only team to beat England in more than two years, are in prime form.
Les Bleus have had a number of impressive outings down under and booked their semi-final spot with a convincing 43-21 win over Ireland.
Coach Bernard Laporte has, as expected, stuck with the winning formula.
Fly-half Frederic Michalak, the tournament's top scorer with 101 points, continues his partnership with veteran scrum-half Fabien Galthie.
The outstanding back-row combination of Serge Betsen, Olivier Magne and Imanol Harinordoquy will be looking to nullify the threat of Wilkinson.
The only changes come on the bench where David Auradou, Clement Poitrenaud, Damien Traille and Christian Labit are drafted in.
The encounter will be the third time the two teams have met in the World Cup.
Moore on the Paris bloodbath
In 1991, England were 19-10 winners in a hard-fought Paris quarter-final, while the French gained revenge four years later in the third-fourth place play-off in Pretoria with a 19-9 victory.
In the 82 previous meetings between the two sides, England boast 45 wins to France's 30.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England: J Lewsey; J Robinson, W Greenwood, M Catt, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; T Woodman, S Thompson, P Vickery; M Johnson (capt), Ben Kay; R Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio.
Replacements: D West, J Leonard, M Corry, L Moody, K Bracken, M Tindall, I Balshaw.
France: N Brusque; A Rougerie, T Marsh, Y Jauzion, C Dominici; F Michalak, F Galthie (capt); J Crenca, R Ibanez, S Marconnet; F Pelous, J Thion; S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Y Bru, O Milloud, D Auradou, C Labit, G Merceron, D Traille, C Poitrenaud.