It will be a fairytale swansong for a number of us
Wow! We're in the World Cup final and I have to say it's a very weird feeling. It's a bit surreal really, especially after getting pumped by South Africa four weeks ago to find us playing them again on the biggest stage of all.
See how England reached the final
It was a tense affair and I can imagine how nerve wracking it was for the fans back home. For myself on the touchline, it was not easy to watch either and Jonny's final kick was the only kick I've never watched in rugby! But if you want anybody to kick for your life in those situations, it's him. He missed a few during the game but when the chips are down, you can always count on Jonny to come good and he always backs himself.
To beat the hosts in their own back yard makes it even more satisfying. Beating Australia was a big turning point as that gave us an enormous amount of confidence and made us believe that we could really take the game to France. It was a bit like a game of chess with nobody really wanting to do anything about it. It wasn't the prettiest game of rugby but it was the semi-final of the World Cup. Who gives a toss! We're in the final. We didn't kick well in parts but neither did they and defensively I thought we were excellent. It was a tense finish but we came through and that's all that matters.
On the minus side we gave away stupid penalties at crucial times although I thought we also had a couple of decisions go against us. We need to make sure we don't do those things again because there's no margin for error in a World Cup final.
What also made the win special was the fact that it was Jason Robinson's 50th cap for England and to get to the final means that it will be a fairytale swansong for a number of us, including myself. Nobody could have written this script in our wildest dreams and for some of us to have a second opportunity of winning a World Cup is just massive.
Looking ahead to the final, most of our boys have come through unscathed and hopefully we'll be alright on the night. My only slight worry is my groin. I was in a bit of pain when I came off but I'll be pushing to be fit for the final. The other news is that Josh Lewsey is now out of the final, which is a big blow. But whoever comes in has a massive chance and will need no motivation at all to give it their best in the final.
One thing's for certain, the 36-0 defeat in the pool stage counts for nothing now. We're a totally different team and anything can happen. We weren't meant to beat Australia and we weren't meant to beat France so bring them on! It's a huge opportunity for us and we've just got to make sure we take it.
From Paris,
Mike Catt.
Catt previews England v Australia
Catt on England v South Africa
Watch Mike talk about England's chances
15th October 2007
