MARTIN JOHNSON tried to take stock of England booking a World Cup final showdown with defending champions Australia, but admitted: "It hasn't really sunk in yet."
Johnson has captained England to victories over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, a Six Nations Championship Grand Slam, and also led two Lions tours.
But the crowning glory of his 82-cap England career could now be just five days away.
"To be in a World Cup final means that you've got one chance for the ulti-mate prize in the game. Both teams are 80 minutes away from that, so it's massive," he said.
"We will keep our feet on the floor, and prepare to meet a team who played the game of the tournament to beat New Zealand.
"At this stage of the tournament, the mental side of it is as big a factor as the physical side. You saw that with Australia on Saturday - they ground New Zealand down.
"We respect Australia as a very good and talented team. They are very clever and very shrewd. They know how to peak for games and how to play against people. It should be a fantastic match," he added.
"It has been a fantastic tournament, and hopefully, next week will be the pinnacle."
Johnson led from the front in wet and windy conditions at Telstra Stadium as England's superior forwards set up a 24-7 semi-final victory over France.
"You just get focussed on trying to win this game. It was a very difficult week - certain members of our team have had some undue stick in the media, which probably didn't help, but fine, and we came through it.
"We dominated territory in the second half. As the game wore on, you could see France getting a little bit frustrated and mistakes crept in.
"It was a World Cup semi-final, and we've won it. England would take a three-point or a one-point win. We played the conditions pretty well, and it was a fantastic win.
"There was a lot of pressure on the team this week, a lot of expectation, but we just got on with it."
