But what are actually the targets of this longed-for 'crunch'?
This World Cup is the last one for French captain Raphael Ibanez and Head Coach Bernard Laporte, therefore they are under pressure because they probably feel that a victory is their duty. For the English team, it has to show the world that it is still the best in the world.

Yet, if the dream of victory is clearly visible on the both sides, the outcome of this Saturday's clash is not so forseeable.  If we take a careful look at the week's sportnews and analysis, no team appears to have a clear advantage, and neither the English nor the French can be sure to reach the dreamed final.
 "There is little between the two teams and I will be very surprised if it is a high-scoring game" said Franck Mesnel, the French former rugbyman who created the famous Edenpark brand.

 What makes the English team's strength is clearly its half-back pairing of Andy Gomarsall and Jonny Wilkinson which appears as its driving force. France would absolutely have to beat it in order to win. Furthermore, even if the French team won the last two France-England fixtures, the Red Rose team won the most strategic ones, notably the World cup semi-final 4 years ago, which already confronted the both teams!

"Les bleus" have nevertheless other advantages. The French team indeed plans to keep the same strategy that leads it to the victory against the invincible All Blacks on Saturday 6th October. Keeping the same winning team, with Sebastien Chabal amongst them. Their succes against New-Zealand revealed more than a victorious game plan, it really boosted the French players' moral and self-confidence.
Finally, as the clash will take place in the Stade de France in Paris, the support for the French team is sure to be also a sizeable factor, which could benefit the XV de France. Even if their fans,  could also add to their existing pressure.

Whatever the winner, this semi-final France-England promises to be an historical event in the Rugby World Cup history and the craze that it is provoking is an obvious proof.  The atmosphere is sure to be very hot this Saturday, regardless of the weather, as the fans for each team are already making their way to Paris. Thousands of English fans are even expected in Paris this Weekend to watch the match. They don't really care if they have tickets or not, they just want to be part of it and will be watching it on TV in local bars and giant screens.