No noise. No nonsense. Just England.
Hosted by France
England: Runners-up
How England performed
England went to the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France as holders, with Brian Ashton as head coach and Phil Vickery as captain. The pool stage started with a 28–10 win over the United States in Lens, but South Africa then beat England 36–0 at the Stade de France. England recovered to beat Samoa 44–22 in Nantes and Tonga 36–20 at the Parc des Princes in Paris to progress.
In the knockout rounds England won two close matches, beating Australia 12–10 in Marseille and the hosts, France, 14–9 in the semi-final at the Stade de France. The final, at the same ground on 20 October, brought a rematch with South Africa, who won 15–6. England finished as runners-up with five wins and two defeats from seven matches, scoring 140 points and conceding 122, with both defeats coming against South Africa.
England fixtures
United States
10–28
England
England won
England tries: Jason Robinson 35', Olly Barkley 40', Tom Rees 49'
United States tries: Matekitonga Moeakiola 74'
South Africa
36–0
England
England lost
England tries: None
South Africa tries: Juan Smith 6', JP Pietersen 38', JP Pietersen 64'
Samoa
22–44
England
England won
England tries: Martin Corry 2', Paul Sackey 32', Martin Corry 76', Paul Sackey 80'
Samoa tries: Junior Poluleuligaga 47'
Tonga
20–36
England
England won
England tries: Paul Sackey 20', Paul Sackey 38', Mathew Tait 57', Andy Farrell 66'
Tonga tries: Suka Hufanga 17', Hale T Pole 80'
Australia
10–12
England
England won
England tries: None
Australia tries: Lote Tuqiri 33'
France
9–14
England
England won
England tries: Josh Lewsey 2'
France tries: None
South Africa
15–6
England
England lost
England statistics
Full England squad
| Player | Pos | Club | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Chuter | Hooker | Leicester Tigers | – |
| Lee Mears | Hooker | Bath | – |
| Mark Regan | Hooker | Bristol | – |
| Perry Freshwater | Prop | Perpignan | – |
| Andrew Sheridan | Prop | Sale Sharks | – |
| Matt Stevens | Prop | Bath | – |
| Phil Vickery C | Prop | Wasps | – |
| Steve Borthwick | Lock | Bath | – |
| Ben Kay | Lock | Leicester Tigers | – |
| Simon Shaw | Lock | Wasps | – |
| Martin Corry | Flanker | Leicester Tigers | 2 |
| Lewis Moody | Flanker | Leicester Tigers | – |
| Tom Rees | Flanker | Wasps | 1 |
| Joe Worsley | Flanker | Wasps | – |
| Lawrence Dallaglio | Number 8 | Wasps | – |
| Nick Easter | Number 8 | Harlequins | – |
| Andy Gomarsall | Scrum-half | Harlequins | – |
| Shaun Perry | Scrum-half | Bristol | – |
| Peter Richards | Scrum-half | London Irish | – |
| Olly Barkley | Fly-half | Bath | 1 |
| Jonny Wilkinson | Fly-half | Newcastle | – |
| Toby Flood | Fly-half | Newcastle | – |
| Mike Catt | Centre | London Irish | – |
| Andy Farrell | Centre | Saracens | 1 |
| Dan Hipkiss | Centre | Leicester Tigers | – |
| Jamie Noon | Centre | Newcastle | – |
| Mathew Tait | Centre | Newcastle | 1 |
| Mark Cueto | Wing | Sale Sharks | – |
| Josh Lewsey | Wing | Wasps | 1 |
| Paul Sackey | Wing | Wasps | 4 |
| Nick Abendanon | Fullback | Bath | – |
| Jason Robinson | Fullback | Unattached | 1 |
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