Vickery demands 'sacrifice of body and soul' from England

The reigning world champions - tournament no-hopers a month ago after South Africa humiliated them in record-breaking 36-0 fashion - now head back to Stade de France as one of only four countries still chasing rugby's golden prize.

England's players gather together for a team talk during their training session

Successive victories over Samoa, Tonga and latterly arch-enemies Australia has revived hope that England could achieve mission improbable and retain the Webb Ellis Trophy.

It would represent a unique feat, and a considerable one at that as resurgent host nation France - conquerors of tournament favourites New Zealand last weekend - now block their path to glory.

But Vickery has total belief in a squad that has dragged itself from the depths of despair to emerge as credible contenders.

And that stunning revival will be reflected in the volume of red rose support tomorrow, with an expected 40,000 English fans having already started to flood the French capital.

Vickery said: "The circumstances have changed. Suddenly there is anticipation from outside the camp of what is going to happen.

"It is a huge game, but as a group of players we have kept things very simple.

"As I said after the (Australia) game, to lose this weekend means nothing. It is totally different - we are playing the host nation in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

"We know we will have to perform better, so there is a lot of pressure on us as players. It is going to be a huge challenge.

"France are favourites, but I have got confidence in my team. It won't be easy, but if we didn't think we could win the game, we wouldn't be here.

"People are going to have to find performances within themselves they never thought they had.

"I don't want to go home, getting a pat on the back saying we nearly did it, I want to go home as part of a team that has achieved something, and it all comes down to 80 minutes tomorrow.

"If you haven't got that will to sacrifice your body and soul for the cause, then things won't happen.

"I am just very proud of the guys, because when all is said and done, you think back and there are some absolute heroes in this team."

England rugby captain Phil Vickery sports a protective cover during a team practice session

Vickery described France's 20-18 win against the All Blacks as "heroic", and head coach Brian Ashton knows exactly the size of challenge Les Bleus will pose.

France beat England home and away in World Cup warm-up games during the summer, while they have won five of the last six fixtures between the countries.

On top of that, England's record at Stade de France shows just a solitary win - a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired Six Nations success in 2000 - from seven previous visits.

But England's invigorating approach in defeating the Wallabies - their willingness to run possession from deep - won new admirers, and there is no doubt they could surprise France with similar tactics.

An upbeat Ashton said: "We don't want the team enjoying itself on the field! That's the last thing you want from an England team!

"This is where the judgement of the players comes in. When they get out on the field, the ball is in their court. They have got to make the judgements.

"The French will want to pin us down in our half and put their defensive curtain up, and we have got to find ways around that."

England field five survivors from their 2003 World Cup final team - Wilkinson, Vickery, Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey and Ben Kay - with that victory over Australia coming just a week after they sunk semi-final opponents France 24-7.

Ashton added: "Having players who have been there and won a World Cup final will help to set the right tone when the day comes tomorrow.

"It will be a momentous occasion, but it won't be a massive surprise to half the team.

"We've been told 40,000 people are crossing the Channel this weekend. They will be buzzing around Paris - it is unbelievable.

"The support has been phenomenal, and it makes a massive difference. I hope as many as possible of them get tickets."

England have received message of support from England soccer manager Steve McClaren, the England cricket team and England women's football side, and Ashton fully appreciates the game's enormity.

He said: "It (the World Cup campaign) has been an enjoyable and interesting challenge with fluctuating fortunes.

"You wouldn't take jobs like this one if you didn't enjoy the challenge.

"When you play against France, you have to be alert all the way through the game because they've got the capacity to hurt you at any stage.

"Now is the time for the players to think about their roles in the game. The more the coach says the closer to the game, the more anxiety levels he is likely to engender.

"I've just got massive confidence in these guys, with what they have fought their way through in the last six weeks."