How fantastic was that? How many of you hid behind the sofa in the last few minutes? I know I did! Well done England - we do make such brilliant underdogs don't we?

It was not a very pretty match but if you remember four years ago at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney - that wasn't exactly poetry in motion was it. Phil Vickery summed it up in an interview after the match - it's all about points and it really doesn't matter how they come.

Jonny pulled it out of the bag when it really mattered, again. After two early misses he must feel very relieved this evening.

But let us spare a thought for the French - so passionate, so fiesty, so sexy, so out of the world cup. Sorry... couldn't resist.

So, who says English rugby isn't sexy? The score line looked pretty attractive tonight and we now have a whole week to anticipate taking on either the Sprinboks or the Pumas. By this time tomorrow we will know who will face the boys in white. England, who just a few weeks ago seemed likely to go out at the pool stages. England, who everyone calls 'old men' and 'boring'. England, who won at Agincourt and can win in Paris next week.

Come on boys - even the gorilla playing the drums on the Cadbury advert is routing for you!

BBC Online Report