English papers fear World Cup exit

England's media fear for the rugby World Cup hopes of coach Clive Woodward's side after their unconvincing 28-17 quarter-final win over Wales.

Woodward has already claimed the underdog title for the one-time tournament favourites heading into Sunday's semi-final in Sydney against France, who thrashed Ireland 43-21 in their quarter-final.

Bookmakers disagree, quoting England odds on at around 1-2 with France on offer at 6-4, but newspapers were having none of that on Monday.

'French World Cup guillotine hovers over fearful England,' said The Times.

'France are the team that are clearly on the rise in this tournament, while England's dip in form shows no sign of bottoming out,' the paper said.

Columnist Simon Barnes wrote that England, who have won 20 of their past 21 matches, had failed to look like kings against Wales and played more like pretenders.

The Guardian said Wales might easily have scored six tries instead of three and England could kiss the trophy 'au revoir' unless their form improved.

The tabloid Daily Mirror agreed with Woodward that England are underdogs against France. 'They were an utter shambles in almost every respect during a first half in which they betrayed their wonderful form of the past 12 months,' the paper said beneath the headline, 'Wales expose English weaknesses'.

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The Sun said: 'Thank God for Wilko' after flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson booted 23 of England's 28 points.

The Daily Mail led tributes to replacement wing Mike Catt for his tactical kicking in the second half in an article headlined 'Cool Catt swings the battle England's way'.

The Daily Telegraph described England as unsettled and was one of several newspapers to refer to Woodward's 'tetchy exchange' with French journalists.

"If you want to bet on England losing to France, then fine," Woodward was quoted as saying, adding that his side was out of form, but "winning through sheer bloody-mindedness".

The latest odds being offered by bookmakers on the World Cup winners are: New Zealand 11-10, England 2-1, France 4-1, Australia 13-2.