Believe and we can win it again

The fly-half is confident the Webb Ellis Trophy holders will cause an upset and beat their fierce rivals in the World Cup quarter-final.

His optimism is shared by the Rugby Football Union, who have told organisers they have already paid for their rooms next week at the same Versailles hotel that has been their base for the tournament.

Such is Wilkinson's level of belief that he confirmed he wants to lead England into a new era, no matter what happens against Australia, and play on to the next World Cup in New Zealand.

The No10 is relishing the challenge and told Standard Sport: "You knew with someone like Martin Johnson that no matter what the position, he was happy to make the next decision on the pitch and be prepared to stand up in the team meeting after the match and explain why he took it.

"I want to impart my experience to those guys who may not have taken part in as many training sessions, team meetings and matches I have been involved in with England.

"I want to just be a voice that is encouraging and helping people to understand how to be the best they can be."

A heavy defeat tomorrow - similar to the 36-0 suffered against South Africa - could have serious repercussions for Brian Ashton as it would mean England had matched the worst ever defence of the trophy made, ironically, by the Wallabies in 1995 - when England knocked them out in Cape Town.

While many of the experienced players will either be dumped or retire after this tournament, Wilkinson wants to appear in a third World Cup in four years' time and has also set his sights on making the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009.

Wilkinson said: "I am 28 years old and motivated to be at my best and that will be the case when I finish at, say, 35.

"I want to end at the highest level possible and if you feel you are going backwards then that's the point to give up.

"It's the do-or-die question that has always spurred me on. When I had all the injuries, people were saying I was finished and I wouldn't come back the same player.

"There are bad experiences, but I honestly believe there is no such thing as negative experience because you can take something out of any situation if you have the right attitude."

Olly Barkley's hopes of replacing the injured Andy Farrell look doomed after he suffered a dead leg in training and Mike Catt is favourite to take the No12 jersey.

Wilkinson is confident that whoever comes in will be able to fill in for Farrell.

He said: "It's not an ideal scenario and it's tough for Andy.

"But we've got to be ruthlessly vigilant for this game. It is a disruption but we can get over it."