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Well, it wasn't exactly decisive, but it wasn't bad. Tonga are on their way home, and they look gutted. England will be going into the quarters - against Australia, mark you - as underdogs, but at least they're going into the quarters. Thanks for your company tonight.
Josh Lewsey takes the flag out in an attempt to stop T-Pole from scoring a last-minute try, but it's tough cheese. Hola converts. "A fine and creditable World Cup for you, Tonga," patronises Stuart Barnes.
A Wilkinson drop goal stretches the lead further, and England are wreathed in smiles.
Ah, it's time to patronise Tonga now if you're a television commentator, seeing as the job is done now and all. Feel free to add your own suggestions of standard head-patting cliches: "They're a small nation", "They've had a great tournament", "They'll go home with their heads held high".
Andy Farrell scores a try! He seizes the ball from Wilkinson, sets off on a run, feints, moves inside and it's under the posts. The fly half returns the compliment by converting, and judging from these celebrations, England think the job is done now.
Big Lol's on for Martin Corry, looking all growly and fired up.
Phew. Seems WIll Greenwood's snark has done the trick, as Mathew Tait takes it over the line. Nick Easter makes to go inside, but instead plays it out to the No 13, who works it through for his second-ever international try. And Jonny Wilkinson converts to extend the lead even further.
Will Greenwood is scathing about England's start to the second half as Pierre Hola puts the first points on the board with another penalty. "Get up! Pressure the kicker!" demands Greenwood.
Andy Farrell's on for Olly Barkley.
Tu'ipolotu and Hola harangue Gomarsall into putting the ball down behind the line, and it's a five-metre scrum. Tonga are bracing themselves for what commentator Miles Harrison grandly calls "their moment", but it's not at all as Gomersall makes up for his error by putting the boot in and scraping the ball away.
CRASH! Another hefty challenge on poor Lewis Moody, and Latu is given a talking-to by Alain Rolland, who tells him, "I need them lower. It's only a penalty," but adds ominously, "this time." Wilkinson misses the kick again, and it'ss pouring down with rain again, so expect more handling errors.
Jonny Wilkinson kicks off, and Miles Harrison tells us that this is the biggest game in Tonga's history, and they won't give up easily. Well, duh.
You can see why there was a bit of question over whether or not he was in control of the ball and whether or not he grounded it properly.
It's looking much better for England than I thought it was going to, thanks to some supreme kicking from Jonny Wilkinson, and the amazing pace of Paul Sackey. Tonga aren't out of it yet, though. Join me in ten minutes to see how the second half pans out.
Another try from Sackey! Bad handling from Tonga - Vaka is nutmegged as he fumbles - and the winger picks it up and runs. Nobody is anywhere near as quick as him, but he makes sure that he won't get caught by accelerating and glancing over his shoulder. Wilkinson misses the conversion.
If England are in the tournament next week, they'll be hoping Sicknote Wilkinson stays injury-free. Marvellous penalty from an acute angle (though Stuart Barnes is all smug and saying, "It was never in doubt").
Stuart Barnes is talking with gay abandon about what England will be doing in the games next week. That's a bit premature, isn't it?
There we go, that's more like it. Wilkinson picks up the ball as his team-mates scatter themselves aimlessly around, and he shows young Barkley how to score a drop goal.
What on earth was that? Olly Barkley is literally 12 or 15 yards from the posts, dead centre, attempts a drop goal and it's hideously wide. That is uncharacteristic, and simply not good enough. Meanwhile, Wilkinson is standing twiddling his thumbs on the wing.
We have a time-out while Nili Latu has treatment on what seems to be a rib injury. Play restarts with a scrum a couple of yards from the Tonga line, and Maka emerges with the ball, despite the England boys' best heaving efforts.
Wilkinson takes a quick kick, catching Tonga unawares, and Paul Sackey runs on to it, grounding it just - JUST - before the line. The referee has to refer it to the TV official, and after all sorts of assessment from all sorts of angles, the try is given. Wilkinson is nowhere near on the conversion, mind.
And Hola converts!
That's a terrific run from Hufanga! He's determined, and his nimble feet take him past Wilkinson as he skids over the line, despite random England players trying to grab on to his shirt.
Andy Gomarsall releases Paul Sackey, who's taken down and the referee awards a penalty for handling in the ruck. Obviously Wilkinson takes the kick, and he levels the scores. A blast of Swing Low Sweet Chariot over the tannoy, and the England fans are happy. Happier, anyway.
Failure to release after the tackle as the England boys pile in to the backline means Tonga have a penalty, which Pierre Hola takes. He drives it low, but it's clear.
It falls to Jonny Wilkinson to tackle Lilo, who's strong and sinewy in his run, and has brushed Mathew Tait aside.
I'll give you three guesses what the England fans are singing. Some wags in the crowd - presumably not England supporters - are waving a big banner emblazoned with the legend "Goodbye England".
Lewis Moody's taken a huge whack on the knee in a challenge as he chased down Lilo. It looks very painful. There's a time-out, but it'll take more than that - possibly a severed limb - to get the England No 7 off the pitch.
Whoop! This is huge. I'm quite nervous.
And it's a noisy one, with all sorts of finger-pointing.
On your feet now. The boys sing lustily along, with immense fervour, and one or two look as though their eyes might pop out. However, they emerge unscathed. Tonga clutch their arms across their respective chests as they warble their national tune.
According to Jim Rosenthal, anyway.
Here's what Will Greenwood says is the game plan, having had a chat with Brian Ashton and the boys: "Shorter passes, working tighter channels. Put the ball behind the Tongans, because they don't like to kick, and set up a platform to launch attacks." Good to know there is a game plan.
I tell you what, Will Greenwood's pretty good at this roving reporter bit. He does forget briefly that he's not wearing studs, and attempts to judge the quality of the pitch with his shiny lace-up shoes, but apart from that, it's a fluent little link. The rain has eased off, the turf is greasy, so look out for handling errors.
Hello all. Well, here it is. England must avoid a defeat tonight to avoid becoming the first defending champions to get knocked out of the tournament in the group stage. The men charged with that task are:
(15-1) Josh Lewsey; Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Olly Barkley, Mark Cueto; Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall; Nick Easter, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry (capt); Ben Kay, Steve Borthwick; Matt Stevens, George Chuter, Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Andy Farrell, Danny Hipkiss
Lining up for Tonga are: Vungakoto Lilo; Tevita Tu'ifua, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Epeli Taione, Joseph Vaka; Pierre Hola, Sione Tu'ipulotu; Finau Maka, Nili Latu (capt), Hale T-Pole; Lisiate Fa'aoso, Viliami Vaki; Kisi Pulu, Aleki Lutui, Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: Ephraim Taukafa, Taufa'ao Filise, Maama Molitika, Inoke Afeaki, Paino Hehea, Hudson Tonga'uiha, Aisea Havili
Alain Rolland of Ireland is the man in the middle. It's been raining at the Parc des Princes all day, which should theoretically favour England. You'll note that I used the word "theoretical". I really don't know what to predict for this game.
Follow every try, tackle, ruck, kick, grubber and garryowen in our rolling coverage of England's critical match against Tonga from 2000BST.
It's been exciting rather than authoritative but England have done what they had to - and we haven't always been able to say that this month. It's eons ahead of the dire performance against USA and light years better than against South Africa, but they know there's still another gazillion miles to go.
Four tries and a bonus point. Sackey finishes with a flourish after Wilkinson's crafty sidestep sets him free. Great run, powerful finish in the corner. Wilkinson misses.
Captain Corry finishes the job. A powerful burst from Sackey sets up Corry to power over from five yards. Wilkinson makes it seven from nine.
Wilkinson again - this time with a penalty from his own half - and that's the chink of daylight England need.
That man again. Jonny makes the right call and takes the three points with a dropped goal. Let's hope that settles England again - but don't bet on it.
14 minutes left and England's defence is hanging by a thread as thin as a catwalk model. Samoa are still setting the pace
Samoa are giving it a real go. They're camped in the England 22 and the pressure's on now. Wilkinson misses the chance to kick to touch when he punts downfield and Samoa just come back. Watch out - here comes the kitchen sink.
It's thrilling stuff but that's not what we want to see. Josh Lewsey scurries back to clear off the line after England lose possession just when they are looking to launch a counterattack. One hack downfield later and the full back saves England's bacon on his tryline.
England have got to take the points while they can get 'em. Wilkinson misses a dropped goal and drags a penalty wide after a powerful drive from the pack goes unrewarded.
England are starting to forge forward. Scrum against the head and they are pushing into the Samoa 22.
The video referee's had a (very) long look at the replays after a brilliant counterattack from Samoa. A poor kick out of defence gives them the chance to break and Junior Poluleuigaga is the beneficiary as he gets to the ball first to touch down. Just. Crichton adds the conversion. Start chewing those nails, it's going to be another one.
It's tit for tat as Wilkinson restores England's 11-point lead after a high tackle by Lima. Breathing space, but not for long I'm sure.
That's not the start England wanted - for all the promising signs, they've got a game on their hands. Wilkinson the offender this time. Crichton again.
They won't be dusting down their acceptance speeches for their MBEs just yet, but reassuring signs after the first half from the world champions (in case you'd forgotten what happened four years ago). A scintillating 40 minutes of rugby, two tries and the comforting sight of Jonny back doing what he does best. England need more of the same after the break.
Yet another penalty - it's all a bit sloppy. Samoa are back in the game after Crichton slots from 35 yards with the last kick of the first half.
Samoa claw back three points with another penalty, but there are worrying signs from the England midfield whenever the Samoans have the ball in hand. Tait's turn to miss a tackle this time but Barkley bails him out before the infringement.
Try by Paul Sackey after a nifty build-up - proper rugby at last. England throw the ball around before Jonny - who's not had a great game with the boot by his standards - threads a delicate kick through from 15 yards for Sackey to finish off. Wilkinson is back on the mark with the kick.
England well on top in terms of possession and territory - but it's a bit more stodgy now. They are trying to soak some of the power out of the Samoa forwards but they need to get the ball moving again.
Wilkinson misses! Another infringement at the ruck by Samoa, but this time the No 10 fails to make sure.
More points for Jonny as Samoa are penalised again. The score may be going up in increments of three but England are moving the ball well and it's already better than anything in the past two matches. England can't afford to take their foot off the gas though - just ask South Africa.
Phew... It's good to have him back. Wilkinson extends the lead to seven points with that trusty left boot of his.
Crichton closes the gap farther with another penalty. The Samoans are as slippery as a bar of soap. They've come storming back into the game as England miss tackles left, right and most notably centre.
It couldn't go on for ever. England concede a penalty and Loki Crichton's kick squeezes over as Samoa get themselves on the board.
Wilkinson dropped goal. The No 10 makes no mistakes with a regulation kick from 15 yards after the pack take control.
Martin Corry scores in the corner and Jonny makes no mistake with the conversion - it's just like old times. Shaw charges down a kick virtually from the off and England take the ball across the pitch in search of an opening before Corry pops up on the right wing to finish it off. It's just the start England need - Samoa look shell-shocked.
Samoa are going through their traditional pre-match war dance, but England aren't exactly quaking at the mock Haka as they link arms and watch respectfully. They've got more important things to worry about - like finally finding a performance. Jonnny kicks off...
If England needed a reminder about the perils of taking the opposition too lightly, South Africa just provided it with an uncomfortable 30-25 victory over Tonga. Not that Brian Ashton will need a reminder after those last two performances... and Samoa should be an even tougher obstacle. Buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride - England have won the toss and will kick off.
Every man and his dog has had their say on England's World Cup display so far. Jonny Wilkinson has declared himself fit for action, while Sir Clive Woodward reckons he knows the key to victory over the Samoans. A win is essential, but a decent performance is also important for the country to truly believe they can retain the trophy they won four years ago. Follow the action live with Doug Gratton's match commentary from 1500BST on Saturday.