Rugby World Cup
England's inexperience is a worry against 'dangerous animal' Australia
England World Cup winner Ben Cohen
October 2, 2015
Rowntree: Australia always a big game

Right, here we go, England vs. Australia is massive. First things first, let's not panic just yet. For England, it's just a case of win and the World Cup is back on.

World Cup rugby is basically a knockout mentality from day one -- you don't go in planning to lose one group game -- so this situation won't have changed England's attitude at all.

It's not a marathon, it's a sprint from day one. England will have licked their wounds, now it's time to crack on. They'll be hurting, and the lads who have the chance will be desperate to go out and prove a point.

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Owen Farrell played brilliantly last week, so I like the fact Lancaster is sticking with him. I think George Ford will feel really hard done by to be left out again, but you've got to back your players at some point, and he can't chop and change every time.

It's a third different midfield in three games, which isn't ideal, but Ben Youngs and Farrell are at No.9 and No.10 again, which at least brings some consistency. Australia's back three are outstanding, so Farrell's boot will be key to keeping them pinned in the right areas.

Outside him, it's Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph again. I questioned Sam Burgess' inclusion, but he was outstanding in defence last week and he'll feel hard done by to be dropped.

It's the right call, though. Burgess doesn't have enough experience, so when your first-choice midfield are available, this isn't the time to throw caution to the wind. Barritt is the experienced big hitter, and Joseph can bring something new to the team.

I think Ford would get more out of Joseph than Farrell, but there you go. I also wonder what Henry Slade has to do to get in the team -- what on earth is the point of bringing him if you're never going to let him see any game time? I'd have given him a run last week, he's a great player. And don't get me started on Luther Burrell again ...

Anyway, in terms of experience, Barritt is important because this team are lacking a lot of it. The one thing you would change about this side is experience, and it showed against Wales last week when it came down to a crunch moment.

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England just don't have the players who have been in huge matches and huge positions before. Sometimes the inexperience works, but you need at least a handful of players who know what it takes to win in situations. That worries me going into this Australia game.

Nick Easter brings that experience in the pack, so it's great to see him there. He'll be a leader in training, and a huge presence in the changing room. I honestly think he'll make a big difference. That being said, the loss of Billy Vunipola is huge. He has been massive for England recently, and looked like he was coming into form at the perfect time.

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Vunipola always looks like he is going to make yards, and constantly wants to carry and put England on the front foot - that's exactly what you want from your No.8. Yeah, he plays on the edge a bit, but sometimes that helps. I'm gutted that he's not around for the rest of the World Cup, but Ben Morgan is not a bad player to bring into that slot.

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The Aussies are a seriously dangerous animal. They're my pick to win the World Cup. They've got one of the best No.9s in the world, an incredible back three and two centres who bring a perfect combination of ability and know-how.

Up front, meanwhile, Australia have got Hooper and Pocock, who are going to make life hell for England. After the number of penalties they gave away last week, that could be worrying.

Yes, Australia can afford to lose and still go through if they beat Wales, but they won't be thinking like that. As I said, you go in thinking of a World Cup as knockout rugby, so they are coming to Twickenham to win. Expect another amazing night.

Elsewhere, it's been an awesome World Cup. Taking England out of it, I just like seeing great rugby and love to see teams go for it, and score some nice tries. There have been some awesome displays, and in front of packed stadiums, it just makes it great.

I love how the nation has embraced the whole thing, and I especially love how people have taken smaller nations on and just got fully behind them. The Tonga vs. Namibia game just showed how awesome this World Cup has been -- a full stadium going mad, and two teams going at it in the sunshine. It's brilliant.

Let's just hope England are still a part of it after Saturday!

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