High hopes as England reach the home strait in rugby world cup

Even Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be watching England as they take their place in the rugby world cup final this Saturday against South Africa, in ParisВ’ Stade de France.

With tickets up to В£3,000 a pair, most fans will have to make do with watching the game on the small screen.

Brown said that since his native Scotland had already been knocked out, he had no qualms about accepting the invitation to support England from the sidelines.

Despite EnglandВ’s rather poor track record against the Springboks in previous games, topped off by a humiliating 36-0 defeat last month, things are looking up.

Spirits still high from last weekВ’s win against France, rugby fever has taken over the country as the national squad are within spitting distance of the cup. Although they face tough competition, hopes are high that England can do it again, and win back the trophy they held in the last tournament in 2003.

One of the biggest events in sports betting history, bookies are expecting half a billion poundsВ’ worth of bets for SaturdayВ’s final.

Storming in from an outside chance to reach the final, the England team have seen a dramatic few weeks and many bookies are now offering 2/1 for an England win. Odds with Ladbrokes are 4/11 for favourites South Africa to win and 2/1 for an England victory.