England v France RWC Semi Final - Match Preview

ENGLAND
By Kath 13/11/03
November 13 2003

England take on the French in the Olympic Stadium - Sydney this weekend will St. George and his Knights of the Oval Table prevail?

England v France Match Preview

Rugby World Cup Semi Final - Sydney - 16/11/03

and so our tale continues....

Having slain the mighty Welsh Dragon on the antipodean battle fields of  Suncorp - King Clive took his Knights off to re-group and tend to their wounds in a Manly place! - (this is where all things Manly are done - it is said)!  They honed their skills and dueled with each other in training but Alas Woe is Us, shining Knight Lewsey of Waspyshire befell a hamstring not to mention the young Rake Balshaw who turned upon his ankle rendering it useless!  

King Clive the consummate war planner sent a flying bird (called BA) to fetch Earl Healey of Tigershire - he was to be put on standby with his ticket!

Then a runner came with news for King Clive's Court, that King Louis Laporte and the French Musketeers had stumbled upon the mighty Dragon where he had fallen.  They stole the Prince of Wales Feathers from the Dragon and renamed them the 'Fleur De Leys' and in doing so King Louis Laporte claimed the English arrogant!  (Oh Woe is Us)!

King Clive was incensed and once again summoned his Knights of the Oval Table to battle,  he had heard of these fine Musketeers Aramis Michalak, Athos Magne and D'Artagnan Galthie and King Clive was very concerned as his battle weary Knights had not fully recovered from their wounds and these Musketeers where the best in their land at using their rapier skills on the field of battle - not to mention the Comte de la Betsen (ok so we won't then)! 

Upon being summoned to the Knights of the Oval Table battle conference, King Clive of Woodwards threw down the Gauntlet and named his team stand up Sir Hill of Saracens, Knight Lewsey of Waspyshire, Duke Catty of Baath and my young Rake Balshaw you will all go forward this day with White Knight Ullrich Von Wilkinson of Falconshire and General Jonno of Tigershire and perform miracles( we hope).  

Darkness falls upon the land the battle will be played out under some of the brightest lights in Christendom at the Olympic Stadium (oooh Woe is Us)!

and King Clive remembering The Siege of Harfleur 1415 cried out....            

" I see you Stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the Start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry "God for Harry! England and Saint George!"

Shakespeare, Henry V (1599) act 3, sc. 1, l. 31

 

 

England:  Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson, Will Greenwood, Mike Catt, Ben Cohen, Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Dawson, Trevor Woodman, Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery, Martin Johnson, Ben Kay, Richard Hill, Neil Back, Lawrence Dallaglio.

Replacements: Dorian West, Jason Leonard, Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Kyran Bracken, Mike Tindall, Iain Balshaw.

 

France: Nicolas Brusque; Aurelien Rougerie, Tony Marsh, Yannick Jauzion, Christophe Dominici; Frederic Michalak, Fabien Galthie (capt); Imanol Harinordoquy, Olivier Magne, Serge Betsen; Jerome Thion, Fabien Pelous; Sylvain Marconnet, Raphael Ibanez, Jean-Jacques Crenca.

Replacements: Yannick Bru, Olivier Milloud, David Auradou, Christian Labit, Gerald Merceron, Damien Traille, Clement Poitrenaud.  

*************

Just time to sound my usual cry...............

The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge.......
'CRY GOD FOR HARRY ENGLAND AND ST. GEORGE '
Henry V (1599) Act3, Scene1