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| England rugby fans on tenterhooks | England rugby fans on tenterhooks |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Up to 60,000 England fans in Paris are enthralled in a tension-filled 80 minutes as the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa kicks off. | |
| Many of those without tickets are gathered 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 are gathered 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 have descended on London's O2 Arena for the biggest free screening outside Paris. | Back in the UK, 5,000 fans have descended on London's O2 Arena for the biggest free screening outside Paris. |
| Gordon Brown and Princes William and Harry are at the final. | Gordon Brown and Princes William and Harry are at 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 also came from England's cricket and football teams and even the Queen. | Messages of support also came from England's cricket and football teams and even the Queen. |
| Springbok fans show colours 'It's like one big party' Countdown to the final | Springbok fans show colours 'It's like one big party' Countdown to the final |
| Her Majesty is said to be planning to watch the game on television, while her daughter, the Princess Royal, travelled 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, travelled to Paris to see the match. |
| 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. |
| Sporting rivalry | Sporting rivalry |
| A sea of red and white grew throughout the day in the French capital, with Springbok fans greatly outnumbered by their English rivals. | A sea of red and white grew throughout the day in the French capital, with Springbok fans greatly outnumbered by their English rivals. |
| But England fan Adam Ingram, 22, a student from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, said there was great sporting camaraderie between the two sets of fans leading up to the match. | But England fan Adam Ingram, 22, a student from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, said there was great sporting camaraderie between the two sets of fans leading up to the match. |
| "It's great to be here and it's such a friendly atmosphere," he said. | "It's great to be here and it's such a friendly atmosphere," he said. |
| "All the England and South Africa fans are mingling together and it's great. Win or lose, I'm going to hug a South African later." | "All the England and South Africa fans are mingling together and it's great. Win or lose, I'm going to hug a South African later." |
| French police have praised the behaviour of England fans. | French police have praised the behaviour of England fans. |
| Spokesman Olivier Deflon said: "We've had no trouble. It's not the same as football fans. Everyone is in good spirit." | Spokesman Olivier Deflon said: "We've had no trouble. It's not the same as football fans. Everyone is in good spirit." |
| 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 sold out all 25,000 seats on services between London and Paris this weekend. | Despite laying on six extra trains, Eurostar sold out all 25,000 seats on services between London and Paris this weekend. |
| Ticket touts | Ticket touts |
| And Eurolines laid on 18 extra coaches to ferry fans in fancy dress and St George flags across the Channel in time for the match. | And Eurolines laid on 18 extra coaches to ferry fans in fancy dress and St George flags across the Channel in time for the match. |
| Many of those arriving in Paris were met by touts offering tickets for up to £2,000. | Many of those arriving in Paris were met by touts offering tickets for up to £2,000. |
| Mr Wainman advertises his desire to go to the match | Mr Wainman advertises his desire to go to the match |
| Before the game Ted Wainman, 38, from Putney in London, said he was prepared to pay up to £350. | Before the game Ted Wainman, 38, from Putney in London, said he was prepared to pay up to £350. |
| "They seem quite hard to find so the people who have them are in a strong position," he said of the ticket crunch. | "They seem quite hard to find so the people who have them are in a strong position," he said of the ticket crunch. |
| Whether in Paris or back home, all England fans were keen 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 were keen 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. |
| Are you watching the rugby final? Are you joining the revelry in Paris? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you watching the rugby final? Are you joining the revelry in Paris? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |