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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brown praises 'fantastic' England | Brown praises 'fantastic' England |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The prime minister has praised England's rugby union team after they fought their way into the World Cup final with a dramatic victory in Paris. | The prime minister has praised England's rugby union team after they fought their way into the World Cup final with a dramatic victory in Paris. |
| Gordon Brown congratulated the team for their "fantastic achievement" in beating tournament hosts France 14-9. | Gordon Brown congratulated the team for their "fantastic achievement" in beating tournament hosts France 14-9. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron said it was "an amazing result" that "had made the country enormously proud". | Conservative leader David Cameron said it was "an amazing result" that "had made the country enormously proud". |
| ITV said television viewing figures for the match averaged 11.2 million, a 47% share of the audience. | |
| A total of 12.4 million are said to have tuned in for the crucial last five minutes, the most for a sporting event this year. | |
| 'Proud day' | 'Proud day' |
| England, the reigning champions, had not been expected to reach the final after a poor start to the tournament. | |
| Mr Brown, a Scotsman, said: "I want to congratulate Brian Ashton, Phil Vickery and the whole England rugby team on their fantastic achievement. | Mr Brown, a Scotsman, said: "I want to congratulate Brian Ashton, Phil Vickery and the whole England rugby team on their fantastic achievement. |
| "This is a proud day for the country and I wish the team the best of luck for the final." | "This is a proud day for the country and I wish the team the best of luck for the final." |
| Mr Cameron said: "What an amazing result. The England rugby team have made the country enormously proud with their performance in Paris." | Mr Cameron said: "What an amazing result. The England rugby team have made the country enormously proud with their performance in Paris." |
| England defended brilliantly and deserve their place in the final Cabinet minister James Purnell | England defended brilliantly and deserve their place in the final Cabinet minister James Purnell |
| England initially forged ahead in the second minute of the game through a try by Josh Lewsey, but two penalties from Lionel Beauxis pushed France 6-5 up. | England initially forged ahead in the second minute of the game through a try by Josh Lewsey, but two penalties from Lionel Beauxis pushed France 6-5 up. |
| Two more penalties, one from Beauxis and another by England's Jonny Wilkinson, left France leading 9-8. | Two more penalties, one from Beauxis and another by England's Jonny Wilkinson, left France leading 9-8. |
| But in a fraught final five minutes, Wilkinson landed a penalty and a drop-goal to snatch victory. | But in a fraught final five minutes, Wilkinson landed a penalty and a drop-goal to snatch victory. |
| Culture, Media and Sport Secretary James Purnell, who was at the game, as was avid rugby fan Prince Harry, said: "When Jonny Wilkinson lined up his drop goal, the whole country knew what was about to happen. | Culture, Media and Sport Secretary James Purnell, who was at the game, as was avid rugby fan Prince Harry, said: "When Jonny Wilkinson lined up his drop goal, the whole country knew what was about to happen. |
| "England defended brilliantly and deserve their place in the final." | "England defended brilliantly and deserve their place in the final." |
| Big screen | Big screen |
| Thousands of England fans who had travelled to France to watch the match celebrated deep into the night. | Thousands of England fans who had travelled to France to watch the match celebrated deep into the night. |
| In total, about 40,000 made the trip, many without tickets. | In total, about 40,000 made the trip, many without tickets. |
| And back in the UK pubs and bars were packed as Saturday night drinkers watched the action. | And back in the UK pubs and bars were packed as Saturday night drinkers watched the action. |
| At London's O2 Centre, 5,000 supporters watched the match on a big screen. | At London's O2 Centre, 5,000 supporters watched the match on a big screen. |
| England will defend their title against either South Africa or Argentina next Saturday. | England will defend their title against either South Africa or Argentina next Saturday. |