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Gomarsall ready for Du Preez

Andy Gomarsall: Determined to take his team across the finish line in first place

England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall faces a major challenge to keep his opposite number Fourie du Preez in check in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.

The South Africa dangerman ripped England to shreds in the 36-0 pool victory just five weeks ago and Gomarsall is ready to state his own case.

Gomarsall, helped by an immense forward effort, has got the better of both George Gregan and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde on England's remarkable route to the final.

"We put enough pressure on them to stop them playing their A game. It will be exactly the same this weekend," said Gomarsall.

"We didn't do that (to Du Preez) in the pool game. I was massively envious of his performance that day. It made me strive to put in the performances I have done.

"We are all competitive people so when people are talking about him as the best scrum-half in the world the envy starts.

"You think, 'I want to be that person'.

"I put that challenge to myself and I have got to answer it on Saturday night.

"It will be a huge challenge but I can't wait.

"Four years ago in a World Cup final I'd have been properly scared. Now I am just looking forward to getting out there.

"I have been waiting for this all my life and I am ready to take it on."

Gomarsall, 33, has been in the best form of his career but the last 18 months have been such a rocky road that he admits the prospect of playing in the final is "mind-blowing".

Gomarsall watched England win the last World Cup from the stands as the squad's third-choice scrum-half.

He vowed that day not to miss out on the title defence - but a little over a year ago that dream appeared dead in the water.

Gomarsall was axed by Worcester a third of the way through his contract, leaving him unemployed just weeks before his wife, Francesca, gave birth to twins.

He wrote to virtually every club in Europe but the only invitation which came his way was to play for the White Hart Marauders in the National Pub Sevens Championship.

"I was so low that I could easily have given up but playing in that tournament restored my faith in the game. I absolutely loved it," he said.

Then a stroke of luck. Harlequins stepped in, initially with a short-term deal, and the move to The Stoop has revived his career.

"I am massively ambitious, I wanted to be here and it has taken guts and determination. It was a sheer desperation to play the game I love," said Gomarsall.

"Quins have been massive in my revival and the way that I play in giving me that freedom on the field and having a say in the style we play."

Gomarsall has not yet been to the White Hart pub, which is in Eversley, near Reading - but he is determined the locals will be raising a glass in England's honour on Saturday night.

"It was emotional that day because the family that runs the team I played for had a bereavement and we were playing under her name," the England number nine said.

"We won the tournament and it was good to be back playing. They will all be watching this weekend in the pub."