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| England rugby fans march on Paris | England rugby fans march on Paris |
| (about 3 hours 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. | 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 2/5 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 2/5 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. |
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