Betsen looks to exorcise demons

France flanker Serge Betsen will be aiming to exorcise his personal demons of four years ago when he takes the field against England in Saturday night's World Cup semi-final.

Betsen was yellow-carded at a delicate stage of the 2003 semi-final for a dangerous tackle on Jonny Wilkinson and, in the 10 minutes the Biarritz star was in the cooler just after the break, Wilkinson kicked nine points to help England to a 24-7 victory and a place in the final.

Betsen still blames himself to this day, and said: "It was the ambition of the French team to get to the final that day, and the chance eluded them. I felt guilty because the team was penalised as a result of my yellow card. But I think that will spur me on."

He added: "At that time, we were playing the best team in the world, and there's nothing we could have done - it's as simple as that.

"Four years ago, England were the better team that day. Now the English have what we don't have - the World Cup trophy."