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England take on Tonga in the same Sapporo Dome• Coach spoke to England’s 2002 squad for advice
George Ford has revealed he has been seeking inspiration for England’s
World Cup opener against Tonga on Sunday by watching highlights of the men’s football team’s victory over
Argentina at the same stadium in 2002.
Seventeen years ago
David Beckham completed his World Cup redemption story by scoring the winning penalty against Argentina, four years after being sent off against the same opponents. Against Tonga Ford and co will hope to take the first step towards redeeming themselves in similar
fashion, having limped out of a disastrous home World Cup in 2015.