Danny Cipriani has added further fuel to the fire ahead of the biggest game of Stuart Lancaster's reign saying "not one Australian would get into that England team right now".

Cipriani was part of the pre-World Cup training squad but missed out on a spot in the final 31-man party. And in a week where various verbal grenades have been lobbed in England's direction, Sale fly-half Cipriani has had his say on his Paddy Power blog.

"England's players know what they can do and they only just touched the tip of the iceberg against Wales," he wrote. "They didn't quite put the nail in the coffin, but if it all clicks together on Saturday, Australia won't have an answer.

"Not one Australian would get into that England team right now. The Aussies will be fired up, but when it comes down to it, head-to-head England are too strong.

"England's defensive structure combined with the attacking weapons they have at their disposal make it hard to see past an England win."

Cipriani has also defended Sam Burgess after Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy launched a withering attack on the cross-code star saying he was "embarrassing" against Wales.

"Everyone has a role to play in this World Cup - whether it's the media or former professionals not directly involved in the competition," he wrote. "Gordon D'Arcy is never going to give a positive quote on England, and it's never going to be a fair reflection.

"What he was quoted in the papers as saying isn't accurate, Sam Burgess wasn't embarrassing at all in the Wales game. He did a great job at 12 with all the pressure that was put on him. He'll be disappointed to be dropped this week against Australia, but he'll bounce back.

"It's great that D'Arcy is adding fuel to the fire and sparking debate, but you can't seriously believe that that is what he truly believes? Don't read into what D'Arcy said, Burgess had a very good game."