The World is Oval: Four years ago she couldn't bear to watch but on Saturday night Philippa Wilkinson took her place in the Stade de France to watch her son and England outhalf Jonny steer his team into the World Cup final for a second successive tournament.
Mrs Wilkinson didn't watch the 2003 World Cup final in Australia, in which young Jonny dropped the winning goal in extra time, instead taking time out to visit her local supermarket.
When Jonny was working his magic his mother was in the vegetable aisle, too nervous to witness her son's heroics.
But this time Mrs Wilkinson, 56, put her fears behind her and watched the semi-final between France and England at the Stade de France.
She saw her son drop a goal and tag on a couple of penalties, whereas in 2003 she learned of his match-winning heroics from a shop assistant, bursting into tears at the news.
All teams need a redhead
One person sure to be at the World Cup final is one Prince Harry, grandson of England's Queen Elizabeth.
Harry appears to be something of a good-luck omen for the England team. He attended the squad's midday team meeting on Saturday, presenting Jason Robinson with a silver cap to mark the fullback's 50th international appearance.
Harry, who was a permanent fixture in the stands when England won RWC 2003 in Australia, was also at Stade de France on Saturday with a couple of mates to see his team secure their second consecutive berth in the final.
No doubt coach Brian Ashton is hoping the prince will bring them further luck in Saturday's final.
Stereotyping or what
The headline in the French newspaper L'Équipeafter France's shock 20-18 win over New Zealand last week was printed in English and read, "So French."
Sunday's headline, printed in French after the 14-9 loss to England, read Tellement Anglais, which translates to "So English."
Old dogs for hard road
Proving while there's life there's hope, three England players, with 176 caps between them, have made it all the way to the final after earlier retiring from international rugby.
Hooker Mark Regan (42 caps) retired in 2004 but made himself available for selection earlier this year and was rewarded with a tour to South Africa.
Fullback Jason Robinson (50 caps) retired in 2005 but was persuaded to return for the 2007 Six Nations by coach Brian Ashton. And Lawrence Dallaglio (83 caps) retired in 2004 but was recalled to the squad for the 2006 Six Nations by then coach Andy Robinson.
Quotes of the weekend
It has been a funny story. Some have gone over, some have not. At the start some didn't go over and I realised I had to give it my all. It got better and they went over in the end. I have to accept that (some go over and some don't).
- Jonny Wilkinson on his kicking during the French game.
The hard way.
- England hooker Mark Regan on how his side have made it to the World Cup final again.
They're bright lads. They've been through it before. You can't beat experience like that.
- England coach Brian Ashton on his team's victory.
We were certainly missing a bit of punch to find a way through the England defence. It's a pity, the World Cups start to resemble themselves (after the 2003 semi-final defeat to England).
- French secondrow Fabien Pelous.
What's worse is it comes after all these months of work. It just came down to a couple of things, a bad bounce and a player's heels being clipped.
- Jean-Baptiste Elissalde struggles to come to terms with defeat.
