Wilkinson, whose drop goal won the 2003 final against Australia in Sydney, struck five minutes from time after Frances replacement hooker Dimitri Szarzewski high-tackled Jason Robinson.

He then followed his penalty with a trademark nerveless drop goal - and France were sunk.

Wing Josh Lewsey scored an early try, and Wilkinson kicked a penalty; yet England trailed for much of the game through three penalties from France fly-half Lionel Beauxis.

England nonetheless prevailed and march on to the final in which they will face South Africa or Argentina at Stade de France next Saturday.

England made a spectacular start, taking the lead after just 80 seconds - courtesy of glaring complacency in defence.

Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall launched a speculative kick into the French 22, but full-back Damien Traille chose to invite a chasing Lewsey instead of clearing possession - and the result was costly.

Lewsey pounced on Trailles indecision, touching down wide out - but Wilkinson missed the touchline conversion, before Beauxis kicked an eighth-minute penalty.

France soon established themselves in the game, monopolising possession as they edged ahead when Beauxis landed a 48-metre penalty - after powerhouse England scrummager Andrew Sheridan was punished for incorrect binding.

England kept themselves in contention despite the French onslaught, and France suffered a 25th-minute injury blow when lock Fabien Pelous hobbled off.

Pelous, who came off second-best in a collision with Wilkinson, was replaced by Frances consistently damaging impact substitute Sebastien Chabal.

He was immediately in the wars, taking a heavy blow in a tackle - which illustrated England had no intention of playing second fiddle.

But England suffered an injury blow on the stroke of half-time, losing Lewsey with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.

Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss replaced him, meaning a switch to the wing for outside centre Mathew Tait; yet England remained firmly in contention at 6-5 adrift.

The second quarter proved a hugely disappointing affair, after such an intense opening - and with neither sides kicking game operating at maximum efficiency, errors abounded.

France coach Bernard Laporte could have been excused replacing Beauxis at the break - but he decided against it, holding back the irrepressible Frederic Michalak.

Beauxis duly completed his penalty hat-trick on 44 minutes, but it was a harsh decision awarded against England by South African referee Jonathan Kaplan for an illegal ruck entry.

England stormed back up field, and Wilkinson rifled over an angled penalty - narrowing the gap to 9-8 when France failed to clear following a bungled Yannick Jauzion kick.

Laporte could wait no longer, sending Michalak on after 51 minutes - but he also sprung a surprise, replacing captain Raphael Ibanez with Szarzewski.

England almost regained the lead after 59 minutes. But Wilkinsons drop-goal attempt hit the post, before full-back Robinson produced a dazzling run which highlighted an encouraging Red Rose spell of pressure.

France, despite enjoying the lions share of possession and territory, could not break clear on the scoreboard - which meant England were still in contention.

When substitute flanker Joe Worsley produced a stunning try-saving tackle on Les Bleus wing Vincent Clerc, it underlined Englands never-say-die spirit.

Wilkinson then administered the killer blows, destroying Frances World Cup dream.