It was English rugby’s finest hour, the culmination of head coach Clive Woodward’s plan to see his team crowned world champions.
The dream became reality on a night of spine-tingling tension in Sydney, Australia on November 22, 2003.
Here, the PA news agency recalls England’s rise to the sporting summit.
The tournament build-up
Arrival in Australia and pool stage
Huge wobble against Wales
The final
On this day in 2003, Jonny Wilkinson’s right foot gave @EnglandRugby their first Rugby World Cup win#RWC2003 #WebbEllisCup pic.twitter.com/PdHKG9q4hg
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 22, 2019
Then came the extras, a further penalty each by Wilkinson and Flatley before, 26 seconds from time, Wilkinson struck. “This is the one, it’s coming back for Jonny Wilkinson,” roared BBC rugby correspondent Ian Robertson in his unforgettable radio commentary. “He drops for World Cup glory – it’s up, it’s over, he’s done it!” Wilkinson’s drop-goal secured England a first world title as Woodward and his players made it mission accomplished after stopping a nation 10,500 miles away back home.
England’s World Cup legacy
Here’s one to RT. Martin Johnson lifts the Rugby World Cup high into the Sydney night. #RWC2003 pic.twitter.com/2AscZRXwtD
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 22, 2013
The England players celebrated long and hard before arriving back home to remarkable welcome scenes at Heathrow, and then a victory parade through central London. Recognition in the New Year Honours followed, headed by a knighthood for Woodward, while there was also a celebration match at Twickenham between England and the New Zealand Barbarians. Woodward left the Rugby Football Union in 2004, before going on to have roles with the likes of Southampton FC and the British Olympic Association, Many of the players moved into media and television work, while Matt Dawson was runner up in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, his fellow scrum-half Kyran Bracken won ITV’s Dancing on Ice, prop Phil Vickery took top honours in the 2011 series of Celebrity MasterChef, Jason Leonard became RFU president and Mike Tindall – the last World Cup squad member to retire from playing – married The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips.
