Rugby: London acclaim for World Cup heroes

ENGLAND’S World Cup heroes were hailed by the Queen, the Prime Minister and three-quarters of a million ‘close friends’ during a tumultuous victory parade through the centre of London yesterday.

The victorious players and coach swigged champagne and held the Webb Ellis Trophy

aloft as their open-topped bus edged through the crowds from Marble Arch towards Buckingham Palace finally bound for a champagne reception at Downing Street.