Rugby World Cup: England head coach Steve Borthwick says his side have silenced the critics

England’s hopes of winning a second World Cup title were dashed six weeks ago after a lackluster opening defeat to Fiji at Twickenham; Steve Borthwick’s side are now targeting a place in the Rugby World Cup final after progressing through the quarter-finals.

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England head coach Steve Borthwick believes his players have an opportunity in Paris in Saturday’s semi-final.

“A lot of people were saying we wouldn’t get out of the pool. We got out of the pool, now we’re out of the quarter-finals,” said England coach Steve Borthwick, who said his team had silenced the reviews.

Owen Farrell fired England into the World Cup semi-finals after Borthwick’s side saw off a fightback from Fiji in a dramatic 30-24 victory in Marseille.

England looked to be heading into the next round when they led 24-10 going into the final quarter thanks to tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant and precise kicks from Farrell at the Stade Vélodrome.

But their foundations were shaken when Peni Ravai went over in the 65th minute and a breathtaking finish presented itself as Vilimoni Botitu crossed to level the score soon after.

Farrell scored a drop to mark the start of an unbearably tense final few minutes and, with Fiji throwing the kitchen sink at them, they picked up a loose pass and charged at Ben Earl.

Farrell won his fifth penalty and despite a final onslaught from the Islanders, the white wall held firm to secure a semi-final against France or South Africa.

Farrell took England to World Cup semi-final

Borthwick said: “These players have an opportunity in Paris in the semi-finals,” said Borthwick, who continued his speech about the world against us. “I’m sure we’ll be written off again, but these players rise to the occasion.”

Farrell scored 20 points and led from the front on his return as fly-half, and Borthwick added: “I think he’s a fantastic leader. He’s the kind of leader I know I would like to follow on the ground.

“I think he’s a brilliant player who thrives in competitions, and especially on these big occasions he gets even better.”

England find themselves one win away from a second successive World Cup final appearance, and although they will start as obvious underdogs to progress further on Saturday, Borthwick’s side have made it five straight wins in the tournament .

“Today we largely controlled the match, then we had a few lightning strikes that hit the team in quick succession,” he added.

“I think you saw in a (recent) period that the England team didn’t come back to win this game, and this team did.

“We talked about scenarios and how you handle different situations. I think the players now draw on all those experiences.”

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Ben Earl shares his thoughts after his magnificent performance helped England defeat Fiji

England controlled the final minutes of a thrilling encounter in exemplary fashion as Fiji threatened to complete a comeback act they almost pulled off against Wales last month.

Farrell said: “I thought the team were brilliant in those moments. We managed to get back into the game and got to the right parts of the pitch.

“We managed to take our chances. Not only that, but we backed it up with a big defensive performance following that.

“There are a lot of good teams left in this competition.

“We have to have a huge amount of respect for what other teams can do – that’s what this stage is like. You saw today in Fiji how much power and skill they had, and they could turn it on in one wink. .

“We’re going to prepare like we have the last five or six weeks we’ve been here. We’re going to enjoy a big event and a big week, and we’re going to attack it.”

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Sky Sports’ Eleanor Roper looks back on England’s dramatic victory over Fiji as Steve Borthwick’s side booked their place in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals

Ollie Lawrence consoles Waisea Nayacalevu after the final whistle

Fiji bowed out, but not before providing further proof of their brilliance and brilliance by scoring tries that troubled Wales and pushed England – who they beat for the first time of their history at Twickenham in August – at the limit in Marseille.

Head coach Simon Raiwalui was left speechless after his team’s colossal performance.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys,” he said. “We worked really hard from the first week. 15 weeks they showed where they belong on the world stage.

“It’s a bit of an emotional moment.

“This is a different Fijian team and I think this is just the start of something special.

“They wanted to create a new identity and I think they did that.”

Footage emerged on social media showing supporters fighting in the stands at the Stade Vélodrome after England scored their first try in the first half.

World Rugby confirmed that a small number of fans had been removed from the stadium.