Ashton set to name same team

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The World Cup semi-finalists have reported no major injury concerns in the aftermath of last Saturday's stirring victory over Australia in Marseille.

Ashton has never previously retained an identical starting XV from one game to the next, yet that luxury for England's biggest match since the 2003 World Cup final could now be afforded him.

And that comes as a welcome break for Ashton, who has seen the World Cup campaign hit at various stages by injuries to the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson, Jamie Noon, Mark Cueto, Andy Farrell and Olly Barkley.

Full-back Robinson is poised to win his 50th cap, joining Josh Lewsey, Ben Kay and Lewis Moody, who all reached that milestone earlier in the tournament. If England lose against France on Saturday night, it would be Robinson's final Test match before retirement.

England, despite being written off before the tournament started after four years of mediocre results, remain on course to create rugby history. No team has ever successfully defended the World Cup but their chances have increased considerably with New Zealand and Australia both eliminated and back home.

Saturday's opening semi-final will be the fourth meeting this year between England and France. Les Bleus are 2-1 ahead after winning both August warm-up games at Twickenham and in Marseille but England have gathered priceless momentum on the back of successive World Cup triumphs against Samoa, Tonga and Australia.

England flanker Martin Corry said: "Form and history counts for absolutely nothing. It's just who turns up and produces better rugby on the day, and we have seen throughout this tournament that could be any team.

"France know us and we know them, and both sides will be tinkering a bit because of what they know, but the last three outings have no bearing. What we are trying to develop is a game plan. What worked against Australia might not work against France, and we have to go out there and find a way which works against the French.

"When you look at the game - a World Cup semi-final against France in France - that speaks volumes. They've got the whole nation behind them, which in a way is how we have developed as a squad. It suits us."