Dawson: Gomarsall and du Preez won't do it by halves

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Former England scrum-half Dawson, who supplied the pass for Jonny Wilkinson to kick the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, expects the Stade de France showpiece to be a "cagey" affair but sees the performances of Harlequins man Gomarsall and Blue Bulls ace Du Preez as vital.

He said: "All the battles are going to be key. Andy Gomarsall and Fourie du Preez are the two form scrum-halves and whoever has the edge between the two on the day should be on the winning side.

"It will be difficult to pick out anyone who is not going to be influential - it is the World Cup final and every match-up is going to be crucial."

Gomarsall has been a revelation since coming into the side at the expense of Shaun Perry, and was chosen ahead of Peter Richards to fill the shirt.

Many eyes will also be on Sale winger Mark Cueto, who has been drafted into the side because of a hamstring injury to Josh Lewsey.

Dawson has no doubt at all that Cueto has the ability to handle the big-match pressure.

"You have got to remember Mark was first pick initially, he got injured and that then gave an opportunity for Brian to pick the only three back-three players that he had. So he is easily capable of playing in a World Cup final and I don't think you have weakened the side by including him."

There has been a huge demand for tickets to the match, and the O2 Arena in London will show the match live on two huge screens.

Dawson, an O2 ambassador, said: "Supporters are taking over the arena, and you can imagine five or six thousand people down there going absolutely crazy to a couple of massive screens.

"That is going to mirror what is going on across the whole nation and all over France. People may not be at the game but they will be watching in pubs and clubs. Any vantage point will be the one that you remember for the rest of your life."