Woodward warns of wounded Wallabies

11.45am

BAGSHOT - England coach Clive Woodward says Australia are the biggest threat to his team winning their first World Cup and warned that the Wallabies' sluggish pre-tournament form will count for nothing once the action begins on October 10.

The host nation, beaten by England, New Zealand and South Africa in recent months, have been overlooked by most bookmakers who make New Zealand and England favourites.

Woodward said on Wednesday, however, that he saw things differently.

"I've said all along that Australia are the team to beat," he told a media conference before the squad flew out to Perth later in the day.

"They are the defending champions, they are on home ground, they've won the World Cup twice and have a proven track record.

"They have a great group of players, they are very tough to beat and anyone who is going to win the World Cup will have to get by Australia first."

If things go to plan for Woodward, England will avoid the Wallabies until the final, but as ever the coach was refusing to look beyond their opening Pool C game against Georgia on October 12.

"The preparation has been excellent, we are getting on the plane with the same 30 players we selected and we are just looking forward to the tournament and getting on with it really," he said.

"We know many people are talking about us winning it and we are the number one ranked team in the world but the truth is we are concentrating on playing Georgia.

"Of course, we have done our preparation and analysis on the other teams and I am confident we can play anyone, anywhere at any time but I can't stress enough that it is always all about the next game.

"Form counts for nothing and everyone involved in the England set-up -- players, coaches, doctors, all the staff -- will have to produce personal bests.

"The competition in the squad is so intense that nobody can afford to be below that. Nobody will be thinking about the game against South Africa or anything beyond and we've shown before we are prepared to drop anyone if they are not 100 per cent."

England meet the Springboks in their second pool match on October 18. They also face Samoa and Uruguay.

On a more general note Woodward, who spent five years living in Australia playing for and coaching in Sydney, said he expected the tournament to be a huge success."

"Australians have a fantastic record with these sort of things and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I've no doubt it will be the best-ever World Cup."

- REUTERS

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