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The semi-final at the Stade de France is set to break all records as the two old rivals go head-to-head for a place in next weekend's Final. The stakes could not be higher as 40,000 England fans go in search of tickets in the French capital, leaving an entire sporting nation back home captivated by events in Paris.

Seldom has an international football match been overshadowed by rugby but as Joe Cole prepared for tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifier between England and Estonia he admitted: "Our game is vital but, for once, we could be second billing behind the rugby lads.

"We will all be cheering on the England rugby team in the evening. It's good, for a change to sit back, relax and watch other people have all the pressure of the whole country watching them!

"I watched the match against Australia and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to see tomorrow's game. All we have talked about this week is the rugby team, their style of play and Jonny Wilkinson's kicking.

"I can't say I understand the finer points of the game, but we're all right behind them."

England's cricketers are playing their last one-day international against Sri Lanka tomorrow, but with the series won, Owais Shah said all they want to do is watch the rugby. "I don't know where we're going to watch it, but you can be sure we'll be trying see the game," he said.

The size of the task facing England was summed up by the man who led the historic triumph against Australia in 2003.

World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson insists the task facing Phil Vickery's men will be tough but is confident England can reach the final.

"We can win it," he said. "England must make a good start and we do need to keep it close because France can come back from a big points deficit, they have that capability."