Woodward says France are red-hot favourites

England booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 28-17 win over the Welsh in Brisbane at the weekend.

Woodward admitted his side drastically needed to improve to ensure their passage into the final.

But he added: "I believe we can get this thing right and I believe we can beat France at the weekend."

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Steve Hansen's Welsh side led 10-3 with 43 minutes gone and it was only in the second half that England finally managed to snuff out the dragon's fire.

They haven't played England yet Clive Woodward's warning to France

"We're winning games through sheer bloody mindedness," added Woodward. "If we can get a bit more nous in our game and keep the bloody mindedness, we'll be a lot closer to our best.

"But if we play like we did tonight against France, we've got no chance."

Woodward warned the French were the tournament's "red-hot favourites" after a convincing campaign to date.

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France booked their place in the last four with a commanding 43-21 win over Ireland.

But Woodward said: "They haven't played England yet.

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"The French fully know England are coming out to play against them. We're in the semi-finals of the World Cup. It's what happens in that 80 minutes that counts, I don't care if we're favourite or not the favourite."