"It appeared the 'we hate England' jibes served as the perfect team talk as England made every tackle count from first to last" Graham Jenkins reports from Marseille

England's grip on the Webb Ellis Cup shows no signs of letting up after they stunned Australia 12-10 in their quarter-final clash in Marseille.

The re-match of the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final was the opening act in this year's quarter-finals and it did not disappoint in terms of tension and drama.

The capacity crowd lapped up the sunshine and the action as Rugby World Cup 2007 provided its latest twist amidst this picturesque port in the south of France.

Brian Ashton's side produced the kind of battling performance that you would expect of a proud team, defending the game's biggest prize, who had been all but written off before the first kick of the game.

Humiliated against South Africa just three weeks ago, the character shown by this side was a credit to the backroom team and to the players themselves who had to pick through the pieces of that defeat.

It appeared all the 'we hate England' jibes emanating from certain antipodean quarters this week served as the perfect team talk for England as they made every tackle count from the first whistle to the last.

Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neil may well regret making Ashton's task a little easier whilst he makes plans for his flight home.

The record-breaking boot of Jonny Wilkinson, whilst not being at its sharpest, again proved to be the key for England and Australia's downfall.

England have won four RWC matches without scoring a try, the most by any team, the latter two thanks to the boot of their priceless N0.10.

But the real heroes of this encounter were England's formidable pack led by Andrew Sheridan, Martin Corry, Simon Shaw and Mark Regan.

Sheridan was rewarded with the man of the match honour and hooker Regan, singled out unfairly this week by the Wallabies in the pre-match war of words, just answered as he said he would - on the field.

There was no doubt that the stinging criticism emanating from the upper echelons of the Wallabies' camp fired up England ahead of the clash.

And the blazing sun that bathed the Stade Velodrome did little take the heat out of the encounter.

England dominated much of the opening period, displaying their willingness to mix things up, a blueprint that Ashon claimed to have always been in place, just simplified for this last eight clash.

However they were unable to trouble the scoreboard despite long spells deep inside Australian territory and the vast England support were on the edge of their seats from the off.

The swirling wind in the stadium did little to help either Mortlock or Wilkinson and it didn't take Einstein to realise that one of these kicking experts was going to be left ruing their misses.

It was Mortlock who opened the the scoring with the first penalty of the game but Wilkinson found his range when the England scrum created the opportunities and two successful kicks gave England the lead.

The second of which saw the England maestro break the record for the most Rugby World Cup points, eclipsing the record of Scotland's Gavin Hastings .

With so much on the line the contest was always going to be tense, and at times that boiled over. The Wallabies' reaction to the physicality of the England approach, and their willingness to trade blows, played into the underdog's hands.

England continued to pressurise, dominating the scrum, but got little change out of the Wallabies' defence.

John Connolly's side refused to buckle and a great run from Chris Latham soon had England back-peddling in their own half.

The Wallabies recycled the ball well to create the room for Lote Tuqiri to go over in the corner for the first try of the game, and his first of the tournament.

That score was converted by Mortlock and Australia's fans breathed a little easier as the match appeared to return to the script.

But England rallied and when Nathan Sharpe pulled down an ominous looking maul inside the 22, Wilkinson was handed a chance to close the gap but his effort drifted wide of the posts.

The dominance of the England scrum showed no signs of waning after the break and fortune appeared to have deserted England when within a few minutes Mike Catt spilled a pass from Wilkinson when a try looked on.

Again tempers flared in skirmishes around the park, and as England turned the screw you knew they needed to capitalise if they were to turn this game around.

Wilkinson closed the gap to one point with his next penalty but the Wallabies had no intention of rolling over.

Again the England scrum forced the Wallabies into another penalty, Rocky Elsom the guilty party on this occasion, and Wilkinson gave his side the lead with his fourth successful effort.

Despite dominating territory England were unable to find any breathing room on the scoreboard with Josh Lewsey the next to spill the ball under pressure as he closed in on the line.

A long-range drop goal attempt from Wilkinson failed to find its target and another penalty attempt from the halfway line drifted agonisingly wide.

An infringement from replacement Joe Worsley handed Mortlock the chance to swing the game back in Australia's favour but his long-range effort from outwide and into the wind fell short and wide.

By this stage few fans in the stadium would have had any nails left to bite.

With victory in sight England failed to secure a lineout ball but they managed to snuff out the Wallabies last hopes and with it secure the priceless victory.

As Australia's players fells to the ground in exhaustion, England's heroes shrugged of their fatigue to celebrate a famous triumph.

You can't get a hotel room here in Marseille for love nor money - probably just as well as around 40,000 or so England fans have no intention of letting you sleep and were beginning the party before leaving the stadium.

England's World Cup dream lives on the back of a magical performance, just when it mattered most.

Australia, tipped by many to go all the way, now face the long trip home after failing to reach the last four for the first time since England sent them crashing at the same stage in South Africa at Rugby World Cup 1995.

The defeat may overshadow the final international bow of veteran George Gregan, but to be fair this was England's day, a "great day "commented England skipper Phil Vickery."We showed belief and good old fashioned guts."

"I am just so pleased for this group of players," added Ashton in the post-match press conference, carefull not to get carried away. "They have worked so hard since the South Africa game and that was justified with the reward they got today."

For England and their legion of followers it was a great day indeed and they can now look forward to a last four showdown with France or New Zealand. Watch out Paris, the defending champions appear to be on a roll.

This World Cup continues to entertain and suprise. Bring it on I say.