Owen Farrell scores 4 penalties to offer his facet halftime lead

Thousands of England followers take their seats in Paris’ soggy State de France as their underdog heroes tackle South Africa within the World Cup semi-final at 8pm. 

Earlier at this time, punters in Red Rose jerseys have been seen sinking pints within the run-up to tonight’s grudge match towards the Springboks.

Some 20,000 England followers are anticipated to cheer on the workforce once they take to the pitch on the Stade de France within the French capital.

Steve Borthwick’s squad are coming into the conflict because the underdogs, with bookies giving odds of simply 5/1 to beat the present world champions. 

And regardless of the percentages, England’s military of supporters are remaining hopeful as the lads in pink and white begin off nicely, with former England fly-half Paul Grayson describing it as a ‘dream begin’.

Captain Owen Farrell has scored 4 penalties to date which places his facet 12-6 up.

‘There’s no cause why we won’t do it,’ stated Tony Brett, 43 from Bath. ‘Whatever occurs it may be an awesome recreation.’

Mr Brett was a part of a travelling military of followers from the UK who have been within the French capital for the Saturday night conflict.

‘We is perhaps underdogs, however England can actually do it,’ stated Simon Goss, additionally 43 and from Bath.

Father and son Toby and Nick Walter, aged 51 and 19, from Sevenoaks in Kent, additionally believed England had a combating likelihood.

‘England to win by three factors is my prediction,’ stated Mr Walter, who was sporting a British & Irish Lions equipment.

‘We’ll be sporting our white England equipment on the recreation,’ he stated, including: ‘We’re England first and Lions second.’

Richard and Ben Summers, one other father and son, aged 52 and 25, from Sheffield, attended the New Zealand win towards Argentina on Friday evening as a warmup to the England recreation.

‘If each participant is at his finest, and South Africa make just a few errors then – sure – we are able to do it,’ stated Mr Summer senior.

‘We comply with England, Sheffield and Knottingley rugby membership and know that the sport can throw up all types of shock. Whatever occurs, it needs to be an excellent evening.’

Supporters swept in on the Eurostar and have been seen singing Swing Low within the bars.

Chloe Wells, 30, is backing England to beat the Springboks and go on to win the World Cup.

Ms Wells, of Surrey, who acquired her nails painted with pink roses, stated: ‘Of course we’re going to do it. We’re going to go all the way in which.’

She travelled with mates Josh Ervin, 31, Augusto Burtolome, 28, and George Jones, 28.

Mr Ervin stated: ‘We’re anticipating the worst and hoping for the perfect. We’re protecting every part crosssed.’

David Jackson, 59, of Warwick and Chris Allen, 55, of Buxton have been following England from the beginning of the match.

Mr Allen stated: ‘I have just bought tickets for the final, I think we are going to do it tonight.

‘South Africa have been battered by France, if we turn up we’ve actually acquired an opportunity.’

Mr Jackson, who paid £400 for his tickets, stated: ‘This is the same team that beat New Zealand in the semi final at the last tournament, I think we can be confident.’

Mike Parker, 62, of Twickenham and Kevin Watt, 59, of Barnett, acquired samurai England hats made on the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Mr Watt stated: ‘England getting to the semi finals has been the biggest deception on French soil since the D Day landings.

‘We’ve flown underneath the radar from the beginning. We weren’t anticipating them to get out of the group levels and now we’re one march away from the ultimate.’

Mr Parker stated: ‘Steve Borthwick needs knighting if we win this. He’s been good.

‘I think it’s going to be an awesome evening and we’re in with a shout.’

Adam Dodkins, 39, of Aylesbury travelled over with South African Tyran Saayman, 38, of Oxford.

Mr Dodkins stated: ‘Tyran is more confident than me, but I think we can do this. We need to keep it a 10 man game and kick everything.

‘If we win this I won’t let him neglect it.’

Mr Dodkins has been to each World Cup match since 2007 together with his father earlier than he sadly handed away from Covid two years in the past.

Mr Saayman stated: ‘As soon as I saw it was South Africa England I said we’re going. It’s nice to be right here – however I feel the match will finish for England tonight.’

Gavin Howard, 52, came to visit for the sport on the Eurostar together with his 18-year-old daughter Holly from Bristol.

Ms Howard stated: ‘I think if we keep it a tight game we might have a chance – but we’ll must get fortunate.’

The Howars purchased their tickets on September final yr.

Mr Howard stated: ‘I’m fairly shocked we’ve made it this far. I’m undecided we’ll get a lot additional, however I hope I’m mistaken.’

Tonight’s conflict comes on the anniversary of two well-known British navy victories which followers hope will spur England on to.

On October 21 1805, British navy hero Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson  led the Royal Navy to certainly one of its most well-known victories on the Battle of Trafalgar. 

Lord Nelson’s fleet of 27 warships the place outnumbered once they took on and defeated the 33 ships of the mixed French and Spanish armada. 

The precisely 94 years later, in 1899, English troopers from the Devonshire and Manchester regiments have been amongst those that triumphed within the Battle of Elandslaagte in South Africa. 

Troops combating for the South African Republic underneath General Johannes Kock have been roundly defeated within the city of Elandslaagte, north of Ladysmith, through the Second Boer War. 

An epic efficiency by England’s warriors was once more required in the event that they have been to have any likelihood of beating Rugby World Cup champions South Africa.

As followers arrived by prepare, airplane and automotive, an unlimited safety operation unfolded to maintain all of them protected.

France is on most terror alert following the killing of a faculty trainer by a self-styled ISIS terrorist in Arras, north of Paris, every week in the past, and a number of bomb alerts.

The Palace of Versailles, Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower have all been shut down at varied occasions over the previous week due to false warnings.

In 2015, three ISIS suicide bombers focused the Stade de France throughout a global soccer match between France and Germany attended by the then French president, François Hollande.

The newest fears come as tensions mount internationally due to the Israel-Hamas War within the Middle East.

Today can even see England taking over South Africa within the Cricket World Cup.