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Rugby World Cup | Third Place Playoff
Nov 2, 2019 at 9am UK
 
England
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South Africa
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Mapimpi (67'), Kolbe (74')

Owen Farrell insists England will throw everything into World Cup final

Owen Farrell insists England will throw everything into World Cup final
© Reuters
Only South Africa stand between England and the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Owen Farrell expects his England team-mates to seize their opportunity to realise their boyhood dreams by emptying the tanks in Saturday's World Cup final.

South Africa stand between Eddie Jones' side and the Webb Ellis Trophy as the sport's top two teams prepare to face off at International Stadium Yokohama in a repeat of the 2007 showpiece.

In recognition of how tight the contest could be – England are favourites but the Springboks have the firepower to cause mayhem up front and in midfield – Farrell was on Friday practising drop goals under the guidance of Jonny Wilkinson.

As the extra-time architect of Australia's downfall in the 2003 final, Wilkinson's counsel has been sought on the eve of a seismic clash between rivals who are tied at 2-2 in meetings over the last 18 months.

And Farrell has echoed Jones' mantra of approaching the match with "no fear" by offering all-out commitment in the climax to the first Asian World Cup.

"Everybody wants to be involved in this game and there are probably a lot of people who grew up wanting to be involved in this," Farrell said.

"Now this opportunity has come around, you want to enjoy it, you want to go for it.

"You don't want to dip your toe in and see what happens, you want to throw all of yourself into it and that's the way that we'll look to go about it.

Rugby World Cup final key battles
Rugby World Cup final key battles (PA Graphics)

"There are a lot of lads who have a good feel for where the group is and we'll be open enough to feel what's needed before the game.

"We'll let that happen and hopefully prepare in a way that allows us to throw ourselves into it and be free."

England enter the repeat of the 2007 final with a good luck message from Prince Harry that included a photo of his son Archie in a Red Rose jersey and a warning from Jones to be ready for anything.

South Africa's Rassie Erasmus steps down after the World Cup and Jones is an admirer of a coach he describes as "cunning".

"Rassie's a very good coach, he's an outstanding coach. He's inventive, so they'll have a few tricks up their sleeve," Jones said.

Rugby World Cup team of the tournament
Rugby World Cup team of the tournament (PA Graphics)

"They've got great players: Faf De Klerk has probably been the half-back of the tournament so far and Willie Le Roux is a fantastic player at full-back.

"And they've got talent like Cheslin Kolbe on the wing, so we're expecting the unexpected.

"We've just got to focus on each moment and play with no fear. What I feel is that the squad know how hard they're going to have to work to win the game.

"They know South Africa aren't going to give us the game. They also know we've got to go out there and win the game.

"We've been nicely building over four years and this is our opportunity on Saturday to put it all together. One last chance."

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George Kruis in action for England on March 9, 2019
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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