It is a measure of the dramatic change in England's rugby team that barely a year after their appearance in the World Cup Final, just three players survive to face the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham tomorrow.

Paul Sackey, Nick Easter and Andrew Sheridan started the Paris clash against South Africa at the culmination of a remarkable campaign which proved, if nothing else, England love to be cast in the role of underdogs.

It is a state of mind totally alien to Martin Johnson, the team manager, and therefore no wonder he has begun to implement a new order.

Chief among Johnson's lieutenants is Brian Smith, the new attack coach, who has been charged with turning promising young English talent into effective try-scoring threats at the highest level.

The duo are an odd couple; the hard-nosed, pragmatic former second-row and the blond Aussie ex-union and league outside-half, who made London Irish one of the most exciting attacking outfits in the Guinness Premiership.

Together they will try to fashion a new England; one that can not only deal with the threat posed by the hastily thrown together talents of the Pacific Islanders, but the great challenges looming in the form of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand on consecutive Saturdays at the home of English rugby.

To achieve this aim, Johnson and Smith have put their faith in a back division which boasts just 53 caps and 33 of those are owned by Jamie Noon, the outside-centre. Full-back Delon Armitage makes his debut despite, arguably, lying fourth among the contenders for his position in the national side.

Kiwi Riki Flutey appears in an England jersey for the first time just weeks after qualifying on residency grounds while Ugo Monye, the speedy wing, finally gets the chance to shine.

It is a back line thrown together by circumstance and injuries to players such as Jonny Wilkinson, James Simpson-Daniel, Mathew Tait and Nick Abendanon have played a significant role in shaping this team.

Add to the mix experimentation with the challenging new attack plans Smith wants England to adopt against a big tackling Islanders team and there is the potential for a long and frustrating afternoon for the Twickenham crowd.

If Johnson is going to make a successful start, then Danny Cipriani, who produced a brilliantly balanced performance at No10 against Ireland in his first start for his country, has to impress.

That showing proved the London Wasps outside-half was the real deal only for a horrendous ankle break to interrupt his route to the top of the game.

Now, he's back and in a new half-back combination with fellow 21-year-old Danny Care and Smith expects the pair to pull the tactical strings.

While Cipriani is barely into the groove after his amazingly quick recovery from that injury, scrum-half Care has been outstanding for Harlequins.

However, for Cipriani and Care to be able to bring to life Smith's plans, the England pack have to replicate the kind of physicality that made Johnson such a talisman for his country. But at this stage, the England pack lacks that kind of rallying point, even though Johnson believes Steve Borthwick, his choice as captain, can step up to the role.

With Nick Kennedy, the excellent London Irish line-out jumper, making his debut, England will at least be guaranteed quality ball and the presence of Andrew Sheridan at loose-head prop gives the pack an edge in the scrums.

The only area where England could struggle, however, is the break down and the big-hitting Islanders could flourish. England's kicking game has to be extemporary as they face some of the best runners in the world.

Indeed Mike Ford, the England defence coach, highlighted the dangers. He said: "I watched a series of highlights of their backs and the ball was run back 130 times and only kicked six times."

With fans facing considerable financial outlay this month - top tickets are £71 for the major games - the Islanders match will see around 20,000 empty seats in a stadium that has an 82,000 capacity while England will be playing in red as the opposition jerseys are white.

It will give the team an unfamiliar look which could be replicated by their early play before victory is achieved.