Players 'stunned' by crowd

England's victorious World Cup heroes admitted they were stunned by the response from the public as they were paraded around the streets of London in an open-topped bus today.

Thousands ignored the cold to pack the route along Oxford and Regent Streets to Trafalgar Square and cheer their heroes.

"I never thought I'd see a rugby team treated like this - it's just overwhelming," Clive Woodward said.

Just over a fortnight after Jonny Wilkinson drop-kicked the goal which won the Webb Ellis Cup against Australia the English public were given their chance to officially welcome the team home.

More than half a million singing and cheering flag-waving people lined the streets of central London as England's three-coach convoy weaved its way from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square.

On board the lead doubledecker were the entire England squad, who could not believe what they were seeing.

"This is absolutely fantastic," said Jason Leonard. "So many people out there have turned out to show their appreciation of us and allow us to do the same to them.

"I don't think we will take the smiles off our faces all day. It just goes to show that England have got the best fans in the world. It is just a great, great day."

Neil Back said: "It just goes to show how important the supporters have been to us. We would never have won the World Cup without them."

Wasps No8 Lawrence Dallaglio added: "Celebrating success and patting ourselves on the back is something the English people have not done very well in the past - but it looks like they are doing a pretty good job of it today."

Wilkinson was true to form trying to be discreet in front of more than 500,000 fans.

While other members of the team proudly showed off the trophy to the fans he was at the back of the bus.

Earlier Martin Johnson, England's captain, and several other members of the team, had to make a frantic dash to central London today after being late for the original pick-up point for the parade.