England in Rugby World Cup 2007
Can Wilkinson and co lift the Webb Ellis Trophy in Paris?
Martin Johnson’s team beat Australia at Telstra Stadium in Sydney, 2003. Can Brian Ashton’s side emulate the holders in France this September and October?
As difficult as it seems to believe given the English team’s current dire form, England are the current holders of the Rugby World Cup. I had the great pleasure to be at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, Australia on November 22nd 2003, when England beat Australia to win the Rugby World Cup final 2003.
It was an event that was satisfying for any Englishman, but especially one who lived in Australia and was continually subjected to jibes about the quality of the English sportsmen and teams. The visions of Jonny Wilkinson’s last minute, match-winning drop goal and Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy will remain in my memory forever.
The chances of the English team of 2007 emulating the success of the 2003 vintage seem very slim indeed, though. Much of the 2003 team – including Martin Johnson, Neil Back and Will Greenwood – have now retired, and recent England performances have been dreadful.
The selection, first under Andy Robinson and now Brian Ashton, appears to be almost arbitrary, with every half-decent rugby player in England seemingly given a go over the last four years.
There is undoubtedly some class within the side – Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell are superb players if they can ever regain full fitness – but the ranks don’t look strong enough for England to get beyond the semi-finals at best.
Navigating the group stage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France should be easy enough, but can they get any further? Their group fixtures are as follows:
England vs USA in Lens, France, September 8th 2007
England vs South Africa in St Denis, France, September 14th 2007
