England's scrum half maestro Andy Gomarsall is pledging to bring home the Webb Ellis Trophy tonight - and is thanking the support from Oxfordshire.

The 33-year-old, who learned his trade at Bicester Rugby Club, is fit and raring to go ahead of the clash with South Africa in Paris.

And with mum Sue and sister Emily, from Langford, cheering on from the stands, the former Oxford Brookes student is relishing the challenge.

Andy said: "I just want to say a big thank-you for all the messages of support from across Oxfordshire.

"It means a lot to know so many people are behind myself and the team. I know the boys at Bicester will be cheering me on and I would just like to say thank you to them."

Andy 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".

He watched England win the last World Cup from the stands as the squad's third-choice scrum half behind Matt Dawson and Kyran Bracken.

A defiant Andy vowed that day not to miss out on the title defence - but a little over a year ago, that dream appeared over.

He was axed by Worcester Warriors 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 revived his career.

"I am massively ambitious, I wanted to be in France and it has taken guts and determination. It was a sheer desperation to play the game I love," he explained.

Andy has got the better of both Aussie George Gregan and Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde on England's remarkable route to the final. Tonight in the Stade de France, he takes on Springbok Fourie Du Preez - with last month's 36-0 defeat against the same opposition a distant memory.

Andy said: "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.

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

His proud dad Jack will also be in the stands, while hundreds are expected to pack into Bicester Rugby Club to cheer on their local hero.

Andy said: "It has been an unbelievable few weeks and now we'll be giving it our all on Saturday to keep hold of the cup."