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It may be too soon to add Jonny Wilkinson to the pantheon of national heroes carved from stone, but Madame Tussauds provided a wax idol for temporary worship in Trafalgar Square today.

The empty plinth opposite South Africa House has been filled with a replica of the England fly-half carrying out his trademark pre-kicking ritual ahead of the England team’s World Cup final clash tomorrow against the Spingboks in Paris.

The waxwork stands in the shadow of Nelson's Column, commemorating the 19th century admiral remembered for his semaphored message before the battle of Trafalgar - "England expects that every man will do his duty."

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Rugby fans will hope there is no omen in the history of this privilege. When David Beckham was afforded the same honour for the 2002 World Cup finals – the England football team returned home empty-handed.

The Queen joined well-wishers today by writing a message of support to the squad in Paris. The good-luck note, to be read to the team before the match, will be delivered by Princess Anne, who is representing her mother at the final.

Princes William and Harry are also set to join the English invasion of the French capital for the tie against South Africa, who beat England 36-0 in the group stages of this tournament.

Harry was said today to be “quietly confident” that England could make an historic defence of the World Cup by becoming the first team to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.

Tens of thousands of fans in red and white were making a journey full of trepidation as they attempted to travel to Paris. Pre-match nerves were accompanied by transport fears as French transport staff were out on strike.

After some disruption yesterday Eurostar was running all of its scheduled services from London Waterloo to Paris today. Travel may be less straightforward once people arrive in France with large numbers of French TGV and Paris metro services cancelled.