Wilkinson's drop opens the scoring (Getty Images).

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England will play Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final after a commanding kicking display from Jonny Wilkinson.

The match-winning fly-half landed five penalties and three drop goals for all England's 24 points as France were effectively beaten into submission in the appalling Sydney conditions.

On any other day, three missed penalties would be a disappointment for England's golden boy, but he rose to the occasion just as his opposite number Frederic Michalak sunk.

Michalak's conversion to Serge Betsen's try was France's last entry on the statistics, bar the sin-binning of Christophe Dominici and Betsen in each half, both for petulant challenges.

It was a sign of France's frustrations as England adapted magnificently to the conditions and it was their hardy supporters - some 30,000 of them - who were left singing and dancing in the rain after the final whistle.

They will spend this week eagerly anticipating a repeat of the 1991 final at Twickenham - and dreaming of revenge. The Wallabies claimed that one 12-6.

This was the fourth occasion England had met France this year, with Clive Woodward's men leading the series by two wins to one.

The sole France success came in the Marseille World Cup warm-up when Bernard Laporte's strongest XV beat an England second string by one point.

Woodward had been oozing confidence all week, convinced his side were about to "step up to the plate" and, with a record like that against France this year, asked why they would not be confident.

The main reason was that France came into the semi-final in ravishing form, having dismantled Ireland in the quarter-finals 43-21, inspired by Michalak and their insatiable back row of Betsen, number eight Imanol Harinordoquy and Olivier Magne.

But when the Sydney skies opened before kick-off, and continued to dump on the Telstra Dome throughout, it was clear that inventive, three-quarter play would be limited with a heavy field and slippery ball.

And that proved France's undoing as the England forward pack dominated throughout, setting up Wilkinson for his shots at goal.

The drenching did nothing to dampen the spirits of the raucous England fans who turned the former Olympic Stadium into a home away from home for Woodward's men.

The emotions were bubbling over, Lawrence Dallaglio was in tears during the anthem and the it was not long before the tensions spilled over on the field.

The two front rows were scrapping, French winger Dominici appeared to go dangerously close to the eyes of Martin Johnson while Betsen and Richard Hill tussled on the deck.

England piled on the early pressure and Wilkinson turned the possession into points with a right-footed drop goal to open the scoring.

But France hit back immediately. After bursting through the England defence, Betsen held off the attentions of both Hill and Jason Robinson to touch down - though it was only confirmed after a detailed look by television official Andrew Cole.

Michalak landed the conversion from wide left but as the rain swept in again he would not land another shot at goal.

Dominici was then sent to the sin-bin after a cynical trip on Robinson and though Wilkinson missed the penalty, which was on target but held up in the swirling winds, he made amends just before the half hour and reduced the deficit to one.

It was the only breakthrough England made with the one-man advantage, but the wind had been taken from France's sails and though attacking rugby proved tricky, Wilkinson landed a second drop goal and second penalty just before the interval to secure a five point lead at the turnaround.

The advantage was just reward for a half in which England dominated possession with 63% of the ball on the back of a monumental forwards effort - proof positive England boast the quality to play winning rugby whatever the weather.

After Wilkinson had, uncharacteristically, missed two penalties the French were put under pressure once again.

Betsen, with a history of poor discipline - he was sin-binned within minutes of his France debut - crashed late into Wilkinson and was yellow-carded.

The England fly-half picked himself off the ground and this time slotted the points, heralding a hearty rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

Suddenly England's star man was back in the groove and landed a stunning third drop goal after taking the defence one way before switching back onto his left foot.

Michalak missed again, but Wilkinson did not for the rest of the match, slotting two more to complete a stunning individual haul and leave the England fans dancing to The Beatles and Queen in the stands.

They will now dream of singing We Are the Champions in the stands here next Saturday.