England have edge - Dallaglio

The criticism England received in finishing runners-up to the Springboks in Pool A, has given England a battle-hardened demeanour and by contrast, Australia had an easy ride in Pool B, only remotely tested in the second half of their victory against Wales and it is a contrast Dallaglio insists could benefit England.

He said: "We've had a tough campaign so far. We've had to work hard in every game to get anything. We've been under a lot of pressure, we're used to that and have to use it to our advantage."

He added: "We can't hide from the fact that we could have played a lot better in every game.

"Would we have preferred to have won our group? Of course we would. Would we prefer to be playing Fiji in a quarter-final? Of course we would.

"We deserve to be in the quarter-final but we didn't deserve to win the group and so we are facing one of the form teams.

"If we don't win the game, there's no next week and that's an environment you have to thrive on."

England's challenge is made tougher because Australia are in form, despite having lost star fly-half Stephen Larkham to injury.

Dallaglio, who was likely to start on the bench when Ashton named his side today, said: "They are a good tournament team, the only ones to have won the World Cup twice.

"They are a bright side, adept at holding on to the ball and pulling defences out of position and exploiting space."