Ashton: Vickery speech lifted squad

Brian Ashton has revealed that a passionate speech from captain Phil Vickery inspired England to a 14-9 victory over France in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

"Phil is by nature a fairly quietly-spoken person, but for a prop forward he thinks pretty deeply about what he is going to say and always comes up with the right thing," said coach Ashton, whose side will face South Africa in Saturday's final.

"He made a very moving speech to the team on Friday at seven o'clock. It was about what it meant to him and what it should mean to everyone in the room about playing in a World Cup semi-final and beating France on their home ground - I can only assume with the performance that it had some sort of effect."

He added: "From the way I deal as a coach with the team, he is my ideal sort of captain.

"I can't imagine this group of players would ever be satisfied just by getting to the final.

"They have come so far on a very difficult journey during the World Cup. They want to create history.

"If you had asked me the question five weeks ago - are you going to get to the World Cup final? - I would have had to think deep and hard before I said yes.

"Now they are in the position they are in, it wouldn't surprise me if they completed the job."