It’s do-or-die time for England in the pool of death. After their back-breaking loss to Wales, the English are now in danger of making the wrong kind of history: possibly becoming the first ever Rugby World Cup hosts to crash out in the pool stage. To make matters worse, England will next face the Wallabies of Australia, who will be all too happy to inflict the humiliating defeat onto their historic rivals.
Read on for our preview of this make-or-break Pool A clash. Meanwhile, check out more 2015 Rugby World Cup action with our previews of France vs. Canada and Wales vs. Fiji.
The pressure is very much on the entire England squad now. After they coughed up a 10-point to hand an injury-hit Wales team a victory, the Red Rose are just one loss away from crashing out of the Rugby World Cup on home soil.
[sc:Other240banner ]Tremendous pressure is particularly being heaped on coach Stuart Lancaster, who has been criticized for his questionable roster moves. His gamble to start the vastly inexperienced Sam Burgess against Wales backfired in a big way as the NRL convert struggled mightily in the loss.
Luckily for Lancaster, Jonathan Joseph is recovering more quickly than expected from the chest injury that kept him out against Wales, and will take Burgess’ place in midfield.
However, while Joseph’s return will be a big boost in terms of adding flair and creativity, he’ll be part of a completely untested midfield combination of Joseph, Owen Farrell (who kicked-in 20 of England’s 25 points against Wales) and Brad Barritt.
Billy Vunipola is lost for the tournament with a knee injury and Courtney Lawes is also struggling with a knee injury of his own. Ben Morgan, who missed out against Wales because of his knee injury, will return to the starting lineup in place of Vunipola at number eight, while Joe Launchbury is set to start his first ever World Cup match.
Recent trends will be in the Red Rose’s favor heading into their must-win match. They’ve won four of their last five matches against the Wallabies, including three of the last four at Twickenham.
It’s been smooth sailing so far for Australia in World Cup pool play. After topping Fiji 28-13 in their first game, a mostly second-string Wallabies side steamrolled past Uruguay, 65-3, which is the highest points total in the tournament to date.
The Wallabies have also emerged relatively healthy through the first two games, but will be without Wycliff Palu and lock Will Skelton for the remainder of the tournament.
The English have had a lot of success against Australia in the scrums in recent meetings, a fact that won’t be lost on Aussie coach Michael Cheika. However, the Wallabies have shown notable improvement under the tutelage of set piece coach and former Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma.
The Wallabies also have their own secret to success, with the terrific back row partnership of Michael Hooper and David Pocock capable of storming through and changing the game.
The fly-half position remains problematic for Australia, though, with Bernard Foley struggling, and his replacement Quade Cooper going just 5 of 11 against Uruguay. The uncertainty in goal kicking could just be the small shortcoming that keeps Australia from pulling off the upset against the hosts.
The Wallabies will enter their big game against England with six wins in their last seven matches.
Writer’s Prediction
England live to fight another day as they win 24-17 against the Wallabies.
