England needed a late penalty followed by a drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson to edge out France 14-9 in a nail-biting showdown and advance to the World Cup final.

The fastest try in World Cup semi-final history, by wing Josh Lewsey after just two minutes, and nine points from the boot of their invaluable outhalf kept alive England's hopes of becoming the first team to retain the trophy.

France, who were a point ahead when Wilkinson passed his second penalty with five minutes left before wrapping it up with his drop goal, had to be content with three penalties from outhalf Lionel Beauxis and could not repeat their quarter-final feat, when they upset favourites New Zealand a week ago.

On a dry evening on the outskirts of Paris, France, losing finalists in 1987 and 1999, failed to sparkle and could not avenge a semi-final defeat by England in the 2003 semi-finals and a rainy night in Sydney, in which Wilkinson had kicked all England's points.

A week after upsetting Australia to advance to the last four, England, who had worried their fans when they were hammered 36-0 by South Africa in the pool stage, emulated Australia as the only team to reach successive finals.

They will try to go one step further in the final against the winners of South Africa and Argentina.

England made a promising start, Damien Traille hesitating under a kick from Andy Gomarsall and Lewsey seizing the ball, resisting Traille's tackle and touching down in the left corner to give England the lead.

Wilkinson missed a tricky conversion and France reduced the arrears six minutes later through a Beauxis penalty before capturing the lead with another one from nearly 50 metres that followed a scrum infringement by England in the 18th minute.

Six minutes later, Fabien Pelous left the pitch after sustaining a rib injury in a clash and was replaced by the powerful Sebastien Chabal.

Wilkinson then missed a long-range penalty and France changed ends leading 6-5 after a tense first half featuring poor kicking from both sides and little to thrill the 80,000 crowd.

France put England under sustained pressure early in the second half and were rewarded by three more points from Beauxis's boot.

England responded by bravely charging forward and a Wilkinson penalty, his first points from three attempts, put them just one point behind on 48 minutes.

Suffering in the scrums but dominating in the lineouts and defending bravely, France held on to their lead until England, who showed more initiative in the second half, received the help they needed from their ever reliable number 10.

Feeling France needed support, the crowd started singing the French anthem, the Marseillaise, with their team a point ahead on the scoreboard with a few minutes remaining.

That was before Wilkinson struck twice to send the 30,000 England contingent went wild, courtesy of a man who again lived up to his reputation for never letting them down.