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| England rugby fans march on Paris | England rugby fans march on Paris |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Up to 60,000 England fans are packing the streets, cafes and bars of Paris ahead of the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa. | |
| Many of those without tickets will gather around a giant screen beside the Eiffel Tower in the hope of seeing their team retain the Webb Ellis Cup. | Many of those without tickets will gather around a giant screen beside the Eiffel Tower in the hope of seeing their team retain the Webb Ellis Cup. |
| Back in the UK, 5,000 fans will descend on London's O2 Arena for the biggest free screening outside Paris. | Back in the UK, 5,000 fans will descend on London's O2 Arena for the biggest free screening outside Paris. |
| Gordon Brown and Princes William and Harry will all attend the final. | Gordon Brown and Princes William and Harry will all attend the final. |
| Despite being a Scot, the prime minister has sent his best wishes to Brian Ashton's players. | Despite being a Scot, the prime minister has sent his best wishes to Brian Ashton's players. |
| Messages of support have also come from England's cricket and football teams and even the Queen. | Messages of support have also come from England's cricket and football teams and even the Queen. |
| Her Majesty is said to be planning to watch the game on television, while her daughter, the Princess Royal, will travel to Paris to see the match. | Her Majesty is said to be planning to watch the game on television, while her daughter, the Princess Royal, will travel to Paris to see the match. |
| 'It's like one big party' Countdown to the final | 'It's like one big party' Countdown to the final |
| Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton has also sent the team a good luck message. | Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton has also sent the team a good luck message. |
| He too is hoping for sporting success when he attempts to win the drivers' championship in Brazil on Sunday. | He too is hoping for sporting success when he attempts to win the drivers' championship in Brazil on Sunday. |
| Ticket touts | Ticket touts |
| Some 40,000 England supporters descended on Paris for last Saturday's semi-final against France and this time they have battled against major transport strikes to get there. | Some 40,000 England supporters descended on Paris for last Saturday's semi-final against France and this time they have battled against major transport strikes to get there. |
| Despite laying on six extra trains, Eurostar has sold out all 25,000 seats on services between London and Paris this weekend. | Despite laying on six extra trains, Eurostar has sold out all 25,000 seats on services between London and Paris this weekend. |
| And Eurolines has laid on 18 extra coaches to ferry fans in fancy dress and St George flags across the Channel. | And Eurolines has laid on 18 extra coaches to ferry fans in fancy dress and St George flags across the Channel. |
| Many of those arriving in Paris are being met by ticket touts offering match tickets for up to £2,000. | Many of those arriving in Paris are being met by ticket touts offering match tickets for up to £2,000. |
| Whether in Paris or back home, all England fans hope to see a very different side than the one which lost 36-0 to the Springboks in the group stage of the tournament. | Whether in Paris or back home, all England fans hope to see a very different side than the one which lost 36-0 to the Springboks in the group stage of the tournament. |
| South Africa are still favourites to take the trophy, but since England's return to form in later rounds, bookmakers have slashed the odds of them winning from as high as 80/1 to just 2/1. | South Africa are still favourites to take the trophy, but since England's return to form in later rounds, bookmakers have slashed the odds of them winning from as high as 80/1 to just 2/1. |
| Are you going to watch the rugby match? Are you trying to get to Paris? Send us your comments using the form below. | |