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England rugby fans head to Paris England rugby fans head to Paris
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of England rugby fans are heading to Paris to see their team play South Africa in the World Cup final. Thousands of England rugby fans are heading to Paris hoping for World Cup victory against South Africa.
Continuing transport strikes in Paris failed to deter fans as they arrived for Saturday's game.Continuing transport strikes in Paris failed to deter fans as they arrived for Saturday's game.
About half of Paris' Metro services and a third of local mainline trains were closed but Eurostar trains from London were operating. About half of Paris's Metro services and a third of local mainline trains were closed but Eurostar trains from London were operating.
Many fans have already arrived, but thousands more, some without tickets, are due throughout Friday and Saturday.Many fans have already arrived, but thousands more, some without tickets, are due throughout Friday and Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Eurostar said despite the strike on the French side, 25,000 fans were being ferried to Paris for the final, all of them "in fine form".A spokeswoman for Eurostar said despite the strike on the French side, 25,000 fans were being ferried to Paris for the final, all of them "in fine form".
"South African supporters were mixing happily with English fans. There was a good atmosphere. It seemed everyone was wearing team colours.""South African supporters were mixing happily with English fans. There was a good atmosphere. It seemed everyone was wearing team colours."
Sold outSold out
Some fans unable to get on a Paris-bound train were taking Eurostar Brussels services and changing at Lille to make their way on local services to the French capital.Some fans unable to get on a Paris-bound train were taking Eurostar Brussels services and changing at Lille to make their way on local services to the French capital.
At Folkestone in Kent, Eurotunnel officials were coping with numbers of travellers on their cross-Channel shuttle trains that were 40% greater than the same weekend last year.At Folkestone in Kent, Eurotunnel officials were coping with numbers of travellers on their cross-Channel shuttle trains that were 40% greater than the same weekend last year.
A company spokesman said: "From 11am today until the start of the match there are no tickets left and it will also be very busy on the return journey on Sunday."A company spokesman said: "From 11am today until the start of the match there are no tickets left and it will also be very busy on the return journey on Sunday."
A spokeswoman for French rail company SNCF said that mainline trains would be back in service ahead of Saturday's game. class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/7049496.stm">Rugby: All you need to know
"We will ensure we will get everyone to the stadium in time for the match," she said.
Fans hope to repeat England's semi-final victory celebrations
To avoid public transport problems, Gavin MacDonald, global head of mergers and acquisitions for investment bank Morgan Stanley, hired a luxury 10-seat plane for himself and corporate clients.To avoid public transport problems, Gavin MacDonald, global head of mergers and acquisitions for investment bank Morgan Stanley, hired a luxury 10-seat plane for himself and corporate clients.
Eleanor Radville, 25, and Jenny Day, 24, both from Uxbridge, west London, were among a rowdy crowd adorned in England scarves, flags and hats leaving on Friday from London's Victoria Coach Station. In Paris, Jason Patrick, 24, a Springbok fan living in London, said he arrived in the French capital too late to secure a hotel room but did manage to find a spare bed at a friend's place in anticipation of a South Africa victory party.
"I think if they play with as much heart as they have in the last two games they've got a good chance," said Miss Radville. The Queen has sent a message of good luck to the England team, while both Prince William and Prince Harry will attend the match, and the Princess Royal will deliver official royal support before the game.
Paul Hollidge and David Hambrook, both 20 and from Bromley, Kent, bought their tickets on eBay on Thursday for £35 each "from a Kiwi bloke who obviously didn't realise how much money he could have made from them".
Despite the 36-0 loss to the Springboks in the tournament, Mr Hollidge said England has a fighting chance of victory.
Meanwhile, Londoners were treated to a dose of World Cup fever as a Madame Tussauds waxwork of England player Jonny Wilkinson was placed on an empty plinth in Trafalgar Square ahead of the match.
Are you heading to Paris for the final? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you heading to Paris for the final? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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