Prince Harry celebrates with Clive Woodward's wife.

England boss Clive Woodward came out fighting tonight as he issued a defiant message about his team's World Cup semi-final prospects against France in Sydney.

"I believe that we will beat France," said Woodward, following his team's monumental quarter-final struggle against Wales.

England triumphed 28-17, but were indebted to 23 points from fly-half Jonny Wilkinson's trusty left boot after Wales outscored them 3-1 on tries.

The Six Nations champions will now meet an in-form French side at Telstra Stadium next Sunday.

And the smart money must be on a French win, especially as they are the only side that has toppled England - twice - during the past 20 months.

"The French fully know that England are going down to play against them in the semi-final of the World Cup, and it's about what happens during the 80 minutes of the game. I don't really care if they are favourites or not favourites," said Woodward.

"Clearly, we were not at our best today and we made some very fundamental errors, but I am also very confident that we can sit down, have a clear the air meeting next week, and beat France.

"We are disappointed how we played, but it's far nicer to be flying to Sydney than flying back home to London.

"We are not playing well, but we are winning these games through sheer bloody-mindedness. If we play like we did today, then we've got no chance, but I don't think for one moment this team will play like it did today," he added.

"At half-time, we said the right things and made the right changes. Clearly now, France are red-hot favourites for next weekend's game, but France also know which team is coming down to play them, and we are looking forward to that game.

"France know us, and we know them very well. We've won every game so far, without playing anywhere near what we are capable of. I believe we can put it right, and we need to get it right."

Woodward paid tribute to Wales, who stunned England for long spells through their attacking adventure that ultimately yielded tries for fly-half Stephen Jones, skipper Colin Charvis and substitute flanker Martyn Williams.

"I thought Wales were outstanding," he said.

"It was the best performance I've seen by a Welsh team against England, probably since I've been in charge, and that includes the game we lost at Wembley (1999). They did themselves proud."

England will run fitness checks over several players after what was a bruising encounter, including skipper Martin Johnson and centre Will Greenwood, but none of today's starting line-up would appear to be a doubt for the French clash.

Josh Lewsey (hamstring) and Iain Balshaw (ankle) though, who were not involved against Wales, could face particular scrutiny.

"We will make a decision fairly shortly about Lewsey and Balshaw, whether we need to fly over someone on stand-by," added Woodward.

"We might bring someone tonight or tomorrow, like we did with Martyn Wood, just to get them here in case we need them for the weekend."

England's performance level grew once Woodward sent on Mike Catt for the second period, and it will be difficult for him to leave out the Bath back against France.

"It was a lot easier for me, having watched the game in the first 40 minutes, to come on and change the way things were being played. I had that advantage," Catt said.

"I am thoroughly enjoying it at the moment. Whatever comes my way, comes my way. It was great to get a run-out. We've got a lot to work do, but we are through to the semi-final of the World Cup, and that's pretty impressive in its own right.

"We played a lot of the first-half in our own half, so it was a case of trying to take the pressure off the forwards a little bit by trying to play down in Wales' half. We caused a few mistakes, and got the points."

And Wilkinson added: "It was a slightly better performance in the second-half.

"Wales started very well and showed they were in good form, and in that situation, you've got to trust yourself. We've not played well, but we believed in ourselves and had enough to get through the game."

While England look for the answers to their problems, Wales must head home after gaining no reward for two of the most inspirational performances they have produced in decades.

Seven days ago, they led New Zealand at the 60-minute mark and though few thought they were capable of repeating the feat tonight, Charvis and his side probably improved on it.

"Every coach wants to win and when you get as close as we did tonight and don't manage it, it is gut-wrenching," said coach Steve Hansen.

"When we reflect back, everyone involved can be proud of what they have achieved.

"We have asked the team to stand up against England and New Zealand within a seven day period and they have responded magnificently.

"They have done themselves and their country proud. The only thing they didn't do was win but life is like that sometimes."

While Hansen refused to write off England's chances of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time, he did admit to finding a flaw in their solid defensive structure which France and New Zealand will fancy their chances of exploiting.

"I have always had a question mark about the way England defend," he said.

"I feel if you get behind their umbrella defence we could move the ball wide, create a big threat to their forwards and run them around the park.

"The way their forwards play they do not have to do too much running, they stay where they are and the ball is brought back to them.

"It has been a successful tactic of theirs for some time and it was pretty obvious they were going to use it tonight.

"We wanted to ask question marks over their fitness and their ability to get around the field.

"We did well but you have to give Clive Woodward credit for bringing Mike Catt on. After that they started to run the ball and find some space for their kicking game.

"I know we scored more tries but rugby is not just about that. It is also about not giving away penalties and we gave away too many in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

"But at no stage did I feel we couldn't win the game and if England are honest with themselves they will know that as well."