England's famous quarter-final encounters
Take a look back at some of England's famous last-eight contests at previous Rugby World Cups.
2003: England 28-17 Wales
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Clive Woodward's side faced Wales in a quarter-final match up on their way to World Cup glory in 2003. Having topped their pool with convincing wins against Georgia, Samoa, South Africa and Uruguay, England were billed as favourites as Wales entered the contest off the back of a 53-37 defeat by the All Blacks in their final pool game.
A semi-final with either France or Ireland awaited the victors of this encounter, and Wales were keen. They pushed Woodward's side to its limits and outscored England by three tries to one. Twenty three points from Wilkinson led England out of trouble in a 28-17 win.
England's starting line-up boasted a total of 704 caps between them (Jason Leonard's 111th English appearance equalling Phillippe Sella's record for international caps), but Wales' less experienced team battled gamely and took a 10-3 lead into half time.
The game finally turned in England's favour with the introduction of Mike Catt at centre, Mike Tindall switching to the wing in place of the substituted Dan Luger. The move was a masterstroke, taking the pressure off Wilkinson, as Catt took charge of tactical kicking in the centre of the field. As England found their feet, Robinson tore through the Welsh defence and allowed Greenwood to go over in the corner. The try was converted and England looked like a different team.
Martyn Williams claimed a late try for Wales, but it was not enough. England would go on to beat France in the semi final to set up that fateful final encounter with hosts Australia in Sydney.
2007: England 12-10 Australia
Stade de Marseille
England reached the semi-final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup thanks to a gritty performance at Stade de Marseille in their quarter-final clash against Australia. Jonny Wilkinson's performance from the tee earned him all 12 of England's points and, in the process, made him the Rugby World Cup's leading points-scorer of all time.
Stirling Mortlock kicked an early penalty, but two missed opportunities meant England enjoyed a better first half. The Wallabies scored their only try of the game through Lote Tuqiri, briefly putting his side ahead. The wing slipped past Josh Lewsey and extended to score in the right corner.
Despite trailing at half time, England's dominance in the scrum proved the difference as Wilkinson kicked them into the semi final. Brian Ashton's men went on to beat France in their next game to set themselves up for a World Cup final clash with South Africa at the Stade de France. They lost the final 6-15.
Lewis Moody's Memories of the win
2011: England 12-19 France
Eden Park, Auckland
Martin Johnson's side took on France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final after topping their pool group with victories over Argentina, Georgia, Romania and Scotland.
France took a commanding lead going into the first half with the score at 16-0. Two early penalties from the boot of scrum-half Dimitri Yachvilli and tries from Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard put France on the front foot.
England found some momentum 10 minutes into the second half and grabbed an unlikely lifeline when Ben Youngs took a quick tap and go to release Ben Foden who darted over. Wilkinson converted to make it 16-7. Les Blues sensed the English momentum and replacement fly-half Trinh-Duc slotted a drop goal to make it 19-7, pushing the scoreline further from England’s reach.
Matt Banahan's late charge allowed Mark Cueto to touch down for a try at the death. The conversion was pulled wide and England exited the tournament with the final score at 19-12.
Ben Foden's memories of 2011
2019: England 40-16 Australia
Oita Stadium, Japan
Two first half tries in three minutes from Jonny May on his 50th cap helped establish a 17-9 half-time lead for England in their 2019 quarter-final meet with the Wallabies.
Australia came flying out the blocks and forced England to make 30 tackles in the space of a few minutes. England’s defensive efforts kept Australia off their try line and persuaded fly-half Christian Lealiifano to take a penalty at the posts which he slotted.
Tom Curry created England’s first try of the evening as he committed the last man to put May through into the corner, and Henry Slade was the catalyst behind May’s second as his neat kick over the Australian defence put him through once more. Lealiifano converted two more penalties before the close of the second half to bring the score to 17-9 at the interval.
Australia stunned England at the resumption, after winger Marika Koroibete came left Eddie Jones' men scrambling in defence. But their response was immediate, as Owen Farrell fed Kyle Sinckler with a flat pass as he was thundering through towards the line. Sinckler touched down for his first international try.
Farrell converted and added more pain through two penalty kicks which went unanswered from the Wallabies. The fixture ended 40-16 and England could celebrate a first win in knockout rugby since 2007.
