 Going into the 2003 World Cup , England were one of the tournament favourites . They reached the final on 22 November 2003 against host Australia and became world champions after a match @-@ winning drop goal by star flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson deep into extra time that made the final score 20 – 17 . Not only was it their first Rugby World Cup victory , but it was the country 's first World Cup since winning the 1966 FIFA ( football ) World Cup as hosts . On 8 December , the English team greeted 750 @,@ 000 supporters on their victory parade through London before meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace . 
 Going into the 2003 World Cup , England <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> one of the tournament favourites . They reached the final on 22 November 2003 against host Australia and became world champions after a match @-@ winning drop goal by star flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson deep into extra time <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a>made the final score 20 – 17 . Not only was it their first Rugby World Cup victory , but it was the country <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>first World Cup since winning the 1966 FIFA ( football ) World Cup as hosts . On 8 December , the English team greeted 750 @,@ 000 supporters on their victory parade through London before meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace . 
Goin into the 2003 World Cup , England was one of da tournament favourites . They reached the final on 22 November 2003 against host Australia and became world champions after a match @-@ winnin drop goal by star flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson deep into extra time made the final score 20 – 17 . Not only was it their first Rugby World Cup victory , but it was the country  first World Cup since winning tda1966 FIFA ( football ) World Cup as hosts . On 8 December , the English team greeted 750 @,@ 000 supporters on their victory parade through London before meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace .