Graphic: Worsley's tackle in detail

Individual moments of inspiration win matches and there is little doubt that Joe Worsley’s last-ditch tap-tackle on Vincent Clerc kept England in the World Cup. Jonny Wilkinson’s penalty and dropped goal may have proved decisive, but it was Worsley’s intuitive and instant appreciation of the danger England faced in the 68th minute that made the difference and prevented a near-certain try.

Without it, France, who led 9-8 at the time, would have been out of sight. As Bernard Laporte, their coach, rued yesterday: “If I kept one image, it would be the dropped goal from [Jonny] Wilkinson, which meant it was finished. The other image was the bootlace tackle on Vincent Clerc. If we scored, we were in the final.”

Worsley had been on the field 15 minutes as a replacement for Lewis Moody and that he was comparatively fresh enabled him to track back more than 50 metres and bring down the France wing. “I saw about four or five of them lined up on the other side of the pitch so I just took a risk, cut behind the backline and got on my bike,” Worsley said. “I saw the kick coming and got there as quickly as I could. It was lucky I did because [Julien] Bonnaire did an amazing tap back to Clerc. I took a line, was slightly stumbling but just managed to dive and get a bit of his ankle.

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“Because he is very quick off the mark I knew he would get away from me unless I went for it there and then. Games are won and lost on millimetres and centimetres and that was an example of that. Moments like that do change games but I am not the only one who did things.”

Worsley prides himself not only on his defensive qualities but also his ability to anticipate threats. “Defence has always been my strong point,” the London Wasps flanker said. “Making that tackle was about the read 50 metres on the other side of the pitch. To be in that position in the first place was to read it. A lot of defence, where you position yourself is vital. It was luck I got it right. The team had worked their socks off and I was just happy to help out. I have been around a long time now and the difference between losing badly and winning well is a tiny per cent. Today was more about character and ability to play under pressure.”

Worsley’s understandable delight at his contribution was in contrast to a week ago when he conceded the late penalty that could have won the quarter-final for Australia. Stirling Mortlock’s long kick, however, drifted wide. Mike Ford, England’s assistant coach, said: “Joe was staring at Mortlock’s kick in Marseilles last week, but this week he was a hero for us.”

Ford, too, deserves praise for his organisation of the defence. In two high-pressure knockout matches against sides renowned for their attacking capabilities, England have conceded only one try.