We have a team to trouble the French, insists upbeat Robinson
While most red rose supporters would have anticipated a showdown against New Zealand at Stade de France next Saturday night, England’s biggest Six Nations rivals now loom large.
Both previous World Cup meetings — in 1991 and 2003 — went England’s way, although France recorded back-to-back tournament warm-up victories over them during the summer.
Ashton said: “We can compete at the same level as France, there is no doubt in my mind about that. We should have beaten them at Twickenham in August — I know that, and the players know that.
“We will go into the game with every confidence we have a team to trouble the French.”
England, despite losing their second pool game in record-breaking fashion to South Africa, remarkably remain on course for a successful World Cup defence.
It is a feat no other country has managed during the tournament’s 20-year history. But with New Zealand and Australia both out of the way, the October 20 final is certain to feature a northern hemisphere team.
Ashton added: “The South Africa game was a disappointing night for us all, but we knew we had it in us to put in better performances than that. The key thing was to knuckle down and start working, to make sure that happened.
“Samoa and Tonga were effectively knockout games in our pool, and that bred confidence throughout the camp. There was a big performance waiting to happen.’’
World Cup fever has now started to grip England for the second time in four years, with optimism replacing the pessimism of three weeks ago.
Ashton said: “It is difficult to have a sense of what is going on back home. The only connection I’ve got is that I had 52 messages on my phone in the first hour after the game, some from people I had never heard of, which is a bit worrying!
“Yes, we can get better, but next week is going to be an even bigger challenge than beating Australia.”
England full-back Jason Robinson, who is set to win his 50th cap in the semi-final, paid tribute to the destructive scrummaging work of his former Sale Sharks colleague Andrew Sheridan.
Robinson said: “Andrew Sheridan is a quiet lad who works behind the scenes and just gets on with his job.
“He did what he does best and caused them a lot of problems. It is hard to single out one guy when a lot of guys played with passion and pride. They got what they deserved.
“It was only the guys in the changing room who believed they could do it.
“It was a big pressure game, and although you believe in what you do, you still have to go out and do it.
“We have taken some flak over the past month, which is usual. But to beat Australia in the way we did was very good.
“There are some grumpy old men in the side, and the more you guys (the media) get on their back, the grumpier they become.”
The quarter-final build up featured some typically blunt comments from various sources, with Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill claiming everyone hated England.
But Robinson replied: “What was said? Maybe it was just me, but I didn’t know who John O’Neill was.
“I am sure their journey home will be a lot longer and a lot more painful than our journey up to Paris.”
AUSTRALIA: Latham, Ashley-Cooper, Mortlock, Giteau, Tuqiri, Barnes, Gregan, Dunning, Moore, Shepherdson, Sharpe, Vickerman, Elsom, Smith, Palu.
Replacements: Mitchell for Ashley-Cooper (67), Freier for Moore (73), Baxter for Shepherdson (66), McMeniman for Elsom (66), Hoiles for Palu (76).
ENGLAND: Robinson, Sackey, Tait, Catt, Lewsey, Wilkinson, Gomarsall, Sheridan, Regan, Vickery, Shaw, Kay, Corry, Moody, Easter.
Replacements: Flood for Catt (64), Chuter for Regan (52), Stevens for Vickery (59), Hipkiss for Moody (67), Dallaglio for Easter (69).
Referee: Alan Rowlands (Ireland).
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