Former New Zealand and Leicester Tigers centre Daryl Gibson has backed England to claim back-to-back World Cup wins with victory against South Africa in St Denis tomorrow.

Gibson, who made 92 appearances for Leicester, believes the Springboks will struggle to break down the resilient England defence at the Stade de France.

He told PA Sport: "They've done fantastically well, England, to get to the World Cup final.

"Things before the World Cup didn't go great for them, but as the tournament has gone on they've improved as a team.

"They're very good at what they're doing at the moment - it's going to be very difficult for South Africa to break them down.

"I certainly wish them luck - it would be an incredible feat if they could win."

Gibson spent four seasons at Welford Road and hopes his former Tigers colleagues shine in the final - with Ben Kay, Martin Corry and Lewis Moody all set to start and George Chuter beginning the game on the bench alongside Danny Hipkiss.

"I hope the Leicester guys do well," added Gibson, who is now player-coach with Magners League side Glasgow Warriors.

The former All Black, who claimed 19 caps between June 1999 and August 2002, expects Hipkiss to have an impact off the bench once more, just as he did in the 14-9 semi-final win over France.

"I'm pleased with his progress having played inside him for the last three or four years," said Gibson of his protege.

"I'm obviously disappointed that he hasn't had more starts in the World Cup because he is one player who can make things happen and create things around him.

"But he showed in the semi-final what he can do and I'm sure he'll be coming off the bench."

Gibson, who featured in the 1999 World Cup for the All Blacks, added that New Zealand may have to follow England's lead and adopt a less-expansive approach in order to end their World Cup hoodoo - they have failed to live up to their regular billing as pre-tournament favourites since winning the 1987 competition.

"This World Cup has shown that the style of rugby we play at World Cups is not a style that wins rugby," he added.

"I think if we, perhaps, become more conservative - and unfortunately that looks like the way rugby's heading - you can be quite a conservative team and still do well.

"We've come unstuck in the past by trying to be too expansive and playing entertaining rugby, which unfortunately, it has shown that it doesn't win World Cups.

"I guess it's a massive re-think for the way we play the game. Even the way we approach World Cups and the mentality we take towards the game."

More news from SportingLife.com