Clive Woodward has realised his dream World Cup final - England versus Australia.

''If someone had said to me six weeks ago what would your dream final be then it would be England versus Australia,'' said head coach Woodward.

''It is a complete one-off game - for both teams, both captains, both sets of coaches and supporters. I am just very pleased England are there.

''If we come second in this tournament we are going to be very disappointed. We came with one objective, and that was to win it. Now we are one game away from achieving that.

''I am delighted we are playing against Australia. They are a quality team we want to play against in the final, and it's going to be a great event.''

England's 24-7 semi-final victory over France - achieved through fly-half Jonny Wilkinson's five penalties and an England record three drop-goals - took them into their second World Cup final.

Next Saturday's Sydney showdown will be a repeat of the 1991 final at Twickenham, which Australia won 12-6.

The Wallabies defeated tournament favourites New Zealand 22-10 on Saturday, and the magnitude of that victory is not lost on Woodward.

''Australia were in a different league to the All Blacks on Saturday, so it's just well done to (coach) Eddie Jones and (captain) George Gregan for staying strong. It is a great final,'' added Woodward.

''I've been a bit surprised at how much stick the Australia team have got from the so-called experts. I thought their first-half performance against New Zealand was probably the best 40 minutes we've seen in the whole tournament.

''I thought they were outstanding, and they are where they should be - in the final.

''Australia have got themselves there by sheer force of character. We've won the last four games against them, but I don't think that will have any bearing on the game next Saturday.

''From our viewpoint, I am extremely proud of everyone involved. We've come here to try to win the World Cup, and we are now one game away from it.

''Anyone who follows any tournament - and I follow a lot of football World Cups - will know you find most teams who get to the final haven't played well in every single game. That tends to happen, and it is about grinding out results.''

Not for the first time, Wilkinson was England's hero, moving past 800 Test points in the process, despite appalling conditions of driving rain and a gusting wind.

''It was interesting, in terms of the weather,'' Wilkinson admitted.

''We had to take it into account but we like to think we were prepared to deal with it. The rain hit us, and we had to look at how best to manage our team in those conditions. I think we did a fairly good job.

''We all knew it wasn't going to be the most spectacular game of rugby. But as always, the aim was to win.

''It was satisfying, that's for sure. When you go into a game of this nature any sort of win is going to be satisfying.''

As for tournament criticism of his own displays, he added: ''I have not read a paper since I've been out here.

''I am happy for people to have their opinion; that's the whole point. When I represent my country I am everyone's property, and everyone is allowed to have their opinion. Rightly so.''

Perhaps the real England hero was flanker Richard Hill, who produced a stunning display on his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in the Pool C opener against Georgia on October 12.

Even so he claimed responsibility for France's first-half try, when flanker Serge Betsen burst through a line-out gap to score.

''I am happy with my performance, in general,'' said Hill.

''In terms of the try, I've got to take responsibility. I made the error, and Betsen went through. As far as I am concerned it was a missed tackle. But I didn't let it get me down, and it was important I got myself back in the game.''

England forwards coach Andy Robinson added: ''It was a magnificent effort by the forwards.

''There have been various comments made about them, whether they are too old. But as always, they've gone out and performed."

There was also time for veteran England prop Jason Leonard to win his 112th cap. His appearance off the bench saw him overtake Frenchman Philippe Sella's world Test appearance record.

''The biggest round of applause in the changing room afterwards was for Jason Leonard,'' said Woodward.