RWC Gold: When England silenced the critics
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As sporting turnarounds go, England’s transformation from a team in total disarray to Rugby World Cup finalists in the space of five short weeks at Rugby World Cup 2007 takes some beating.
Brian Ashton’s men began the defence of the trophy they had won four years previously with a below-par performance in a 28-10 win against the USA, but worse was to come in their next pool fixture.
The reigning world champions were thrashed 36-0 by South Africa at the Stade de France, and very few people would have predicted then that the sides would meet again in the final.
But England regrouped and …
Brian Ashton’s men began the defence of the trophy they had won four years previously with a below-par performance in a 28-10 win against the USA, but worse was to come in their next pool fixture.
The reigning world champions were thrashed 36-0 by South Africa at the Stade de France, and very few people would have predicted then that the sides would meet again in the final.
But England regrouped and …
