Revenge in the air at Twickenham

LONDON - World Cup final revenge for Australia or "payback time" for England's June humiliation in Brisbane -- either cap fits for Twickenham's mouth-watering Saturday showdown between the best of rugby enemies.

The personnel have changed dramatically since England's Sydney triumph a year ago and the world champions have also acquired a new coach, a new captain and a new outlook since the Wallabies hit back with a thumping 51-15 victory in Brisbane.

Both camps are playing down the World Cup connection, but the fans are unlikely to buy into the concept of Saturday being "just another test match".

The Cook Cup is the official prize at stake, fierce pride is the true motivating factor.

"June 26 in Brisbane was probably the most humiliating experience I've had as a coach," said England's defensive co-ordinator Phil Larder. "It's payback time -- we have been looking at Saturday as the time we can get back our respect."

Coach Andy Robinson, whose stewardship had a flying start with a 70-0 thrashing of Canada and last week's impressive 32-16 win over South Africa, was also in bullish mood.

"The euphoria of the last two weeks has been tremendous but this is a different test altogether," he said. "Australia are ruthless, they have a great backline and we cannot allow them any opportunities."

Australia coach Eddie Jones has also had an eye on this fixture for a while as his side seek their first win at Twickenham in six years.

"We put some points on them in Brisbane in June," he said. "It's the reverse now, we're at the end of our season but we're not fatigued."

"We've a few guys out through injuries but all that does is open up opportunities for other guys, so we're going into this game with absolutely no excuse."

Jones is without first five-eighth Stephen Larkham, centre Stirling Mortlock and winger Clyde Rathbone but it is up front where most of the pre-match talk has been concentrated.

England felt their superior scrum was negated by questionable Australian tactics in the World Cup final and are anxious to ensure a proper contest.

"Australia have an astute way of scrummaging, they employ different tactics that work for them," Robinson said of the Wallaby method of "depowering" the set-piece."

Jones responded by promising his side would not be trying to avoid a physical showdown and highlighting England's own legal shortcomings.

"There is some accusation that we are going to be shying away from the physical side of the game by being clever. We're not," he said.

"England seem to be focusing on one part of the game. Hopefully the referee will focus on every contest of the game and make sure both sides follow the law.

"The tackle is going to be important on Saturday, we're hoping that he's very diligent in that area."

England were certainly impressive in the tackle and the breakdown last week, where their new-look back row of Martin Corry, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley swamped their Springbok counterparts.

Australia are sharper in that area, with George Smith a constant menace, and the scrap for loose possession will be vital.

Both sides have unfamiliar back lines but though both possess proven finishers, Saturday's encounter is unlikely to a free-running try-fest.

But then neither was the World Cup final.

Teams:

England - 15-Jason Robinson (captain), 14-Mark Cueto, 12-Mike Tindall, 13-Henry Paul, 11-Josh Lewsey, 10-Charlie Hodgson, 9-Andy Gomarsall, 8-Martin Corry, 7-Lewis Moody, 6-Joe Worsley, 5-Steve Borthwick, 4-Danny Grewcock, 3-Julian White, 2-Steve Thompson, 1-Graham Rowntree.

Reserves: 16-Andy Titterrell, 17-Andrew Sheridan, 18-Ben Kay, 19-Andy Hazell, 20-Harry Ellis, 21-Will Greenwood, 22-Ben Cohen.

Australia - 15-Chris Latham, 14-Wendell Sailor, 13-Morgan Turinui, 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Lote Tuqiri, 10-Elton Flatley, 9-George Gregan (captain), 8-David Lyons, 7-Phil Waugh, 6-George Smith, 5-Daniel Vickerman, 4-Justin Harrison, 3-Alastair Baxter, 2-Jeremy Paul, 1-Bill Young

Reserves: 16-Brendan Cannon, 17-Matt Dunning, 18-Radike Samo, 19-Stephen Hoiles, 20-Matt Henjak, 21-Drew Mitchell, 22-Mat Rogers.

- REUTERS