 |
WORLD CUP RECORD
1999: Quarter-finals
1995: Semi-finals
1991: Runners-up
1987: Quarter-finals
Did you know? England took part in the first ever rugby international in 1871. They lost against Scotland in Edinburgh
|
It's great to perform well before a World Cup but what's the point if you don't go on and win it?
Admittedly England have had a great 2003. They took the Six Nations by storm and came down here and showed both Australia and New Zealand how it's done, which is fantastic.
But in a World Cup year no one's going to remember your results on the way there. They'll remember whether you win it or not.
More than most, they have to come out and put the goods on the paddock once again and they've got the players to do it.
Jonny Wilkinson is a star - the only truly reliable kicker in the tournament. And in Martin Johnson they have one of the greatest captains in world rugby. He leads by example.
When you have players of that calibre playing great week in, week out, of course that marks you out as one of the tournament favourites... and they're playing a good style of rugby.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
