However, for their captain Hugo Ellis, the side’s success in the Six Nations Championship this season, will count for ‘absolutely nothing’ when coach Nigel Redman’s sixth seeds kick-off their Pool C campaign against Fiji at Rodney Parade tomorrow (Friday) at 7pm.
Add to that the presence in the Pool of the much fancied Wallabies, who include no fewer than seven Super 14 players in their 26-man squad, and it’s easy to see why Ellis speaks with caution when grilled on his side’s chance of reaching the semi finals at least.
“Teams have tried to rely on previous achievements before, but we won’t be guilty of that,” said Ellis, whose form this season at Wasps has installed him as a leading candidate to succeed the recently retired Lawrence Dallaglio.
“You run the risk of stagnating if you rest on your laurels. We know the size of the task that stands between us and qualifying in top place from this pool and it starts tonight against Fiji.”
With a typically robust pack and a back division that oozes power and pace, England boast an arsenal heavy enough to gun down the likes of the Wallabies. One of their attacking weapons is Worcester Warriors wing Miles Benjamin whose 15 tries last season made him the club’s leading scorer.
He said, “The transformation from last year has been awesome. “The guys are much more confident. We’re a close-knit team and everyone believes in each other’s potential and in each other’s ability.
“We’ve all got full seasons under our belts too, in the Premiership, in the A League or on dual registration with National League clubs, so everyone’s come into the tournament feeling good. The Six Nations Grand Slam showed what we’re capable of, so we’re really excited.
“Also, you don’t know how often you’ll be in a team that gets the chance to play against a southern hemisphere side. Everyone believes in their ability, but you’ve got to be aware that it’s a massive privilege to be here and you shouldn’t take it for granted.”
Before the opener against Fiji, supporters at Rodney Parade will get a chance to see the Wallabies in action against Canada at 5.00pm. Quade Cooper, David Pocock, Rob Horne and Blair Connor are the pick of the Wallaby stars with captain Pocock hoping that his side make the perfect start against the young Canadians.
“A lot of people are looking at our last game against England as being the most important. That’s rubbish. If we lose tonight, that game will not matter,” said Pocock.
Match tickets are on sale at £2 for children and £8 for adults and can be bought at the Rodney Parade Ticket Office right up until kick-off.
Australia: Dane Haylett-Petty, Blair Connor, Rob Horne, Ben Tapuai, Ratu Nasiganiyavi, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Tetera Faulkner, James Hanson, Daniel Palmer, Sam Wykes, Rob Simmons, Tom Murday, David Pocock (Capt), Ben McCalman
Replacements: Nathan Charles, Albert Anae, Steve Mafi, Seilala Lam, Jeremy Sua, Richard Kingi, Junior Sovala Futi
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Canada: Harry Jones; Tyrone Shannon, Michael Scholz, Matt Evans, Jordan Wilson-Ross; Nathan Hirayama (Capt), Sean White; Russell Ward, Ryan Hamilton, Andrew Tiedemann, Michael Berg, Joshua Schlebach, Thyssen de Goede, Keegan Selby, Seb Pearson
Replacements: Russel Meidinger, Justin Chelak, Antoni Wodzicki, Ian Manly, Jamie Mackenzie, Peter Jawl, Conor Trainor
England: Noah Cato; Seb Stegmann, Mark Odejobi, Jordan Turner-Hall, Miles Benjamin; Alex Goode, Joe Simpson; Nathan Catt, Scott Freer, Alex Corbisiero, Scott Hobson, Ben Thomas, Jon Fisher, Calum Clark, Hugo Ellis (Capt)Â
Replacements: Joe Gray, Billy Moss, Gregor Gillanders, Matthew Cox, Ben Youngs, Rob Miller, Alex Tait
Fiji: Alex Rokobaro; William Saukuru, Isikeli Vuruna, Eroni Tara, Wiliame Umu; Anare Vakawaletabua, Vuga Tagicakibau; Seru Qaranivalu, Saula Qalomai, Jack Lalai, Temo Vakaloloma, Tevita Tuiloa, Ratu Levula, Jese Cirikisuva (Capt), Samuela Vunisa
Replacements: Seru Cakobau, Saulo Romumu, Waqabaca Kotobalavu, Uraia Verenadavui, Peni Rokodiva, John Stewart, Pate Kocoturaga
