By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport in Sydney

"Jonny mania" has gripped Sydney, and it is not just your regular rugby fans with a view on England's goalkicking hero.

Wilkinson is increasingly getting a female following down under

Two young women were overheard in a Sydney pub the day after England's semi-final victory over France discussing the merits of Wilko.

"I don't know much about rugby but that Jonny Wilkinson, he's gorgeous," declared one.

"I know," replied the other. "I love that little wiggle he does just before he kicks the ball."

There were still plenty of your more traditional supporters in the same establishment.

One shaven-headed Aussie, who'd possibly had one Tooheys (an Aussie beer) too many, was determined to liven up a quiet Monday night.

Grinning inanely as he perched precariously on a bar stool, he proceeded to belch out the opening refrain of "Waltzing Matilda" in Vic Reeves-club-singer-style.

His portly drinking partner, who listed Worcester and Gloucester among his clubs as a player, nodded appreciatively before responding with the inevitable "Swing Low".

That was a challenge our singlet-attired hero could not resist, as he launched into another "Onnnnnnnnnnnce a jolly swagman".

And so it went on. And on.

More of the same is guaranteed on Tuesday when more than 3,000 England fans gather at the Coogee Palace Hotel, one of Sydney's beach-front hotspots.

The enormous drinking den, popular with British backpackers, is the venue for a party for an ever-growing band of red rose supporters.

The Barmy Army promises to be in full voice, with specially ordered "Songs of Praise" books to be distributed listing the words to 20 favourites tunes.

The last-minute quest for final tickets has begun in earnest.

But English fans desperate to see their team attempt to make history will have to pay for the privilege.

Some tickets offered for online auction on Monday were attracting bids of A$1500 (�660), three times that of even face-value A-category tickets.

Tourist outlets are also hoping to extract as many Pommie pounds as possible.

Some hotel rooms at the top end of the market are now available at a bargain $1,350 (�580), while climbing Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge will cost an extra $20 (up to $225) this week.

One England fan who looks set to miss the big match is the British government's sports minister Richard Caborn.

Caborn has been told to return to the UK to boost the government's chance of winning a crucial vote on Foundation Hospitals.

He attended England's semi-final win on Sunday but is unlikely to return to Sydney for the final.

The Tories have made hay, claiming it is "disgraceful" that no minister will be present to watch England in the final of one of the world's biggest sporting events.

Rob Andrew and David Campese may have sparred in two famous World Cup duels.

Rob Andrew has been enjoying Campo's hospitality

But England's former fly-half is not averse to a spot of hospitality from the Wallaby legend.

The day after arriving in Sydney prior to England's semi-final victory, Andrew was enjoying a latte at Campo's clothing and coffee shop in Sydney's fashionable Rocks area.

Matt Dawson and Phil Vickery were not the only ones with blood pouring out of their heads on Sunday night.

The Beeb's John Inverdale, Five Live's front-man out in Sydney, was confronted by the steamier side of the Aussie capital on his way back from a post-match sherbert.

An Australian reveller was apparently spilling claret at an alarming rate of knots outside a local watering hole.

"He'd just been pummelled into the pavement," recounted a shocked Invers.