Vickery in final call to action

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"The time for talking is over — now it's time for action," captain Phil Vickery said ahead of England's first game against America in Lens tonight.

Let the rugby do the talking: Phil Vickery

The squad will share a £2million bonus if they successfully defend their title, and Vickery said: "Nobody gives us much of a chance, which is great because we're going to show people what this England team are capable of.

"We are going to make a few people in various parts of the world sit up and listen.

"Everyone is fed up with training and itching to get started. We want to get out there and do what we love — win matches. We have to deliver a performance to be proud of because the pressure is on. We all know South Africa are looming large on the horizon next week."

Head coach Brian Ashton coined the 'Shock the World' mantra after consulting the players in response to England's slide down the world ratings from first to seventh.

After two matches against France without scoring a try, they will expect to start the competition with a landslide win today against opponents beaten 51-3 by England's third XV in the Churchill Cup last May.

But Ashton said: "Once you start talking about the number of points you are going to score, you are in dangerous territory. The important thing is to get the key to the performance right and then the result will follow.

"We can cause all sorts of problems for all sorts of teams in the next few weeks. I have every confidence in the team's ability to rise to the occasion."

Vickery added: "We should win this game against the States, and win it convincingly. 'But they have a lot of good, solid players and they will be up for the game.

"In terms of physical conditioning, I think the gaps between the sides have closed.

"You have to respect these guys. They are a proud nation playing the defending champions in their opening game of the World Cup.

"They will be physically and emotionally charged."

Ashton will give Jonny Wilkinson until Tuesday in his unlikely fight to be fit from his ankle injury in time for Friday's match against the Springboks.