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Betsen looks to exorcise demons
13 January 2007
Betsen was yellow-carded at a delicate stage of the 2003 semi-final for a dangerous tackle on Jonny Wilkinson and, in the 10 minutes the Biarritz star was in the cooler just after the break, Wilkinson kicked nine points to help England to a 24-7 victory and a place in the final.
Betsen still blames himself to this day, and said: "It was the ambition of the French team to get to the final that day, and the chance eluded them. I felt guilty because the team was penalised as a result of my yellow card. But I think that will spur me on."
He added: "At that time, we were playing the best team in the world, and there's nothing we could have done - it's as simple as that.
"Four years ago, England were the better team that day. Now the English have what we don't have - the World Cup trophy."
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