MARCOUSSIS (Reuters) - Taming New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals was a great achievement but England will prove formidable opponents in the last four, France captain Raphael Ibanez said on Tuesday.

"We know what Saturday's win represents," Ibanez said, referring to the tournament hosts's astonishing 20-18 win over the overwhelming favourites that sent France through to a semi-final against champions England next Saturday at the Stade de France.

"However, it was only a quarter-final," the veteran hooker added. "Now we have a semi-final against the world champions coming up. A tougher challenge lies ahead."

Like France, who started their campaign by losing to Argentina, England suffered in the pool stage with a humiliating 36-0 defeat by South Africa before recovering to knock out Australia in the quarter-finals.

"It's true that both teams have had similar runs so far but that won't change anything," France coach Bernard Laporte said.

"It will be an extremely difficult match against a side with very strong forwards. England are a side we have always respected, even when they were going through lean times. It will be tougher than last Saturday."

France can turn to recent history for inspiration, having beaten England twice in warm-up matches in August.

England, too, can look to the past after denying France a grand slam in this year's Six Nations, not to mention their victory over the French in the semi-finals of the previous World Cup on a rainy day in Sydney four years ago.

"All that doesn't count," said Laporte. "We know them well, they know us well but we'll start from scratch."

France have a record of under-performing in games following notable victories, having done that after famous World Cup semi-finals wins over Australia in 1987 and New Zealand in 1999.

"It won't happen this time," France manager Jo Maso assured. "In 1999 we had celebrated the victory over the All Blacks and couldn't find enough enthusiasm for the final (against Australia).

"This time we know we have won a big match and we're all thinking about the next, realising we have won nothing yet."

The French, who stood on the halfway line within centimetres of the gesticulating and grimacing New Zealanders during the haka, promised to be just as ferocious against England.

"It was about fronting up, showing we are proud of our colours and of what we are," Ibanez said of his team's behaviour before the Cardiff battle.

"It will be the same against England."