Paris Under Siege from Cross-Channel Invasion as England Rugby Fans Descend on French Capital

The Daily Mail ^ | October 19, 2007

[Cecily]

Paris was the target of a cross-Channel invasion today ahead of tomorrow's rugby World Cup Final.

Thousands of England fans have already arrived in the French capital but tens of thousands more are expected to follow throughout today and tomorrow.

Fans defied national train strikes and a scarcity of match tickets, which were changing hands for more than £2,000.

At Gare du Nord today an army of supporters, some draped in England flags, filled the concourse with their cheers ringing out across the station.

They had risen before dawn to ensure they beat strike action by French public transport workers, which crippled the local rail network.

[mardler]

Allez les blancs!
Game’s on Setanta and/or UK TV if you have a Slingbox

[uksupport1]

I’m very disappointed with the result tonight. Fair play to South Africa. I’m really proud of England team, though. We had far less talent than Australia, France, New Zealand and South Africa but got to the final on sheer guts. I think that, on the night, England’s old players (who had had a tougher route to the final than the younger South Africans) were the better, more aggressive rugby side. For a period in the second half the Boks were on the ropes. The very harsh penalty (taken by Steyn) given to South Africa swung the game, but England didn’t give up. The England try would have been given nine times out of ten too I reckon. England seemed very dignified in defeat . No whinging about the try or crying in defeat (unlike the Aussies etc). A stiff upper lip was kept throughout. What a great tournament though!

I’m off to console myself with more beer :-)

[Ace's Dad]

Yeah, I know. But I thought if they heard the word "invasion", they would surrender anyway.

(Ooops! There I go again.)

Cool!

[Cuttnhorse]

I worked overseas for about 10-years with a bunch of Kiwis and they "mentored" me on rugby and of course, the Blacks...since moving back to the home to the US, I haven't been following them as much so I don't know what their problem is. They are fun to watch.