The Sunday papers sound a sombre but upbeat note following England's World Cup final defeat to South Africa.

THE HEADLINES

A full-page picture of a desolate Jonny Wilkinson adorns the front of the Sunday Telegraph with the headline 'Heartbreak'

Only the Observer could work the title of a George Orwell novel into a rugby headline, shoehorning in 'Down and out in Paris and London '

The Independent on Sunday splits its front and back pages with pictures of South Africa and England under the dual title 'The victors/The valiant'

The Sunday Times's 'Killer touch' refers to the decision not to award a try to England's Mark Cueto as his foot was adjudged out of play.

The tabloids all focus on the try that never was, with the News of the World declaring it 'A reffin' disaster', the Sunday Mirror going for the puntastic 'It's all toe-ver' and the Mail on Sunday reflecting on 'The moment England thought they'd won the World Cup'

THE ANALYSIS

Independent on Sunday - Nick Townsend

"So it wasn't to be. No back-to-back World Cups; no tap of the Queen's blade on Brian Ashton's shoulders; no open-top bus rides. Yet all that has occurred here in these last few weeks, and that includes Ashton's response to yesterday's game's principal moment of controversy, should remain a profound source of pride for the Lancastrian."

Observer - Eddie Butler

"England really should have scored but somehow Danie Roussouw grabbed just enough of Mark Cueto to force a fibre of sock into touch at the corner. It looked as if Cueto's leg might have been raised above the touchline as he slid over the goalline, but television match official Stuart Dickinson saw it differently. This was perhaps the turning point. England took three points for the original penalty but South Africa had sort of boxed their way off the ropes."

Sunday Telegraph - Paul Ackford

"At the end of this glorious tournament the best side have prevailed. South Africa have been the class outfit. They have faced down all challenges and challengers and have done so with dignity and no little class. England made them work very hard to earn their triumph but they are worthy winners and the trophy is in good hands for the next four years."

Sunday Times - Stuart Barnes

"The set-piece rules the world; this has been the Rugby World Cup where primary possession has been pre-eminent, with so few teams good enough, or bold enough, to attack with any conviction. To control the scrum and lineout has been to allow the kicking units the ball to play the territory game. And so it was that South Africa's towering lineout took its toll on England, and did what it did to every other lineout in the competition during the last six weeks - destroyed it."

Sunday Mirror - Jason Leonard

"The bitter taste of World Cup final defeat will not sit happily with the likes of Phil Vickery, Jonny Wilkinson or Lawrence Dallaglio this morning. They are men who hate losing - and will feel sick and gutted to miss out. But I can tell them from every Englishman, woman, child and dog that they and the rest of the England squad did the country proud."

THE RATINGS

The average mark out of 10 awarded to England's players by each of the nine national Sunday papers.

Jason Robinson 6.7, Paul Sackey 6.3, Mathew Tait 7.2, Mike Catt 6.6, Mark Cueto 6.7, Jonny Wilkinson 6.7, Andy Gomarsall 6.7, Andy Sheridan 6.6, Mark Regan 6.2, Phil Vickery 6.2, Simon Shaw 6.7, Ben Kay 6.8, Martin Corry 6.8, Lewis Moody 6.4, Nick Easter 6.3.

Compiled by Alex Chick / Eurosport