Auckland: France will play Wales in the Rugby World Cup semifinals after holding off England in a 19-12 victory today following a 16-point opening barrage.
Despite a shambolic pool stage in which coach Marc Lievremont fought openly with his players and the media and the team lost to Tonga, France is now the only country to make the final four in the last three World Cups.
Tries to fullback Maxime Medard and winger Vincent Clerc, two penalties by Dimitri Yachvili and a dropped goal by Francois Trinh-Duc sealed the quarterfinal for France in front of a crowd of 49,105.
England scored second-half tries through fullback Ben Foden and winger Mark Cueto but was never in the match, with only center Manu Tuilagi emerging with any credit.