England manager Clive Woodward has declared that victory over Australia remains the most prized scalp in world rugby.
"With all due respect to the likes of Wales and Ireland, these are the games we prefer to play," Woodward commented. "Australia are the number one side in the world and there is no-one I would rather beat."

Following the defeat at the hands of Ireland in the Six Nations finale last month Woodward highlighted poor preparation as the reason for their failure to wrap up a Grand Slam.

"The important thing is not to over-react," he smiled. "And we haven't - apart from 10 changes and a new captain. I pick a team to win each game," he added. "I am convinced that given the benefit of a warm-up game, the side which played in Dublin would have won regardless of anything else.

"But I looked at the video and I can see there are better players available than the ones we picked."

Woodward was also keen to play down any rumoured panic within the England camp. "I have had two years of peace, but one defeat and suddenly the arrows and knives start flying around," he said. "If we lost four on the trot it would be time to press something.

"But this will be a totally England team that played in Dublin and I believe we are going to win the game. There is no sense of experimentation and I don't care if it is 3-0. We have moved on a great deal over the last couple of years and this team is better than the one which beat Australia 12 months ago. But Australia are stronger now as well, and that's what makes it such a fascinating challenge."

Australia's coach Eddie Jones was equally looking forward to the clash of the giants. "Everybody is fit and ready to get out and play the game," he commented. "This is a very important game and England are a side we respect greatly, the best team in the northern hemisphere.

"We are going to play England at their best and that will be enough motivation in itself. But we are just concentrating on ourselves and everyone realises it is an important game. We have prepared properly and worked hard this week and that is what will count."

"Traditionally we haven't played well at Twickenham but we have broken a few moulds this year, including beating New Zealand at Dunedin for the first time in 89 years."