The epic Rugby Union World Cup 2007 semi-final match between the two Northern Hemisphere heavyweights England & France turned out to be a highly thrilling match in which each team could turn the tide into their favour at any instant…

England made an explosive start by taking the lead in just 78 seconds. Andy Gomarsall clipped a box-kick down the line and Damien Traille, usually a centre but playing out of position at full-back, dithered as the ball skittered along near the touchline. When it popped up Traille momentarily slipped and Lewsey latched onto the ball before blasting over and through the Frenchman to score.

Wilkinson, whose kicking has been below par in France, missed the tricky conversion, with the ball snaking left of the posts as it has done all too often for the England's fly-half's satisfaction all tournament.

It was a stunning start for the champions but France were determined not to lose to England in the semi-finals twice in a row and they tried to hit back by playing with width and pace. England, who beat Les Bleus 24-7 last time round, repelled a series of attacks before a large slice of luck helped France get on the board. Beauxis tried a hugely ambitious drop-goal from near his own 10m line which was partly charged down by the towering Simon Shaw.
Serge Betsen picked up the loose ball and when England infringed at the ruck, fly-half Beauxis drilled over the penalty to make it 5-3 after 7 min.

And when the massive Andy Sheridan, so impressive in the quarter-final win against Australia, was penalised for not taking the bind at a scrum, Beauxis edged France into the lead (5-6). With 21-year-old Beauxis missing three long-range drop-goal attempts for the hosts and Wilkinson off target with a similar attempt for England, France were only a point clear at the half-time.

The hosts edged further ahead after 44 min through Beauxis' third penalty after England again infringed at a ruck but the visitors soon hit back through Wilkinson's boot.

Dan Hipkiss, on as a replacement for Lewsey after the Wasps man appeared to pull a hamstring, made a break to initiate a surging attack and when France fell offside Wilkinson landed his 50th World Cup penalty to make it 8-9. Jonny Wilkinson was back!

France brought on the mercurial Frederic Michalak with half an hour to go but his first contribution was to miss a drop-goal from right in front of the posts.
England came agonisingly close to going back into the lead after an hour but Wilkinson's right-foot drop-goal came cannoning back off the woodwork.

After that it was an infinite period of phases & throws, with both teams coming within 5 m of a try but unfortunately they both made mistakes at the crucial moment.

England were struggling to get out of their half, France occupying it for around 14 min. With 5 min left on the clock, Jason Robinson’s electric run forced France’s Dimitri Szarzewski to make an illegal tackle around the neck, leading to a penalty in front of the posts. Wilkinson did not miss. England 11-9 France.
Both teams stepped up their plays, with England now occupying France’s territory. The English players were buying time by keeping the ball & by extending the phases. The inevitable had to happen. On the 78th min, Jonny Wilkinson lined up for a drop-goal & he struck gold again. The 30,000-strong England contingent went wild, courtesy of a man who again lived up to his reputation for never letting them down. England 14-9 France.
It was a do-or-die situation for France. If they made a try, they would be level with England. The hosts threw everything at the champions in a series of desperate late attacks, but it was a little too late…

ENGLAND ARE IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!

ENGLAND - 14
Try: Lewsey
Penalties: Wilkinson - 2
Drop-goals: Wilkinson

FRANCE - 9
Penalties: Beauxis - 3

[via BBC Sports]