England v Australia: As England's rugby men contemplate a fantasy double whammy over Australia in both codes on the same day, the theory seems to be that beating the Wallabies at Twickenham is the simpler half of the equation.
One of life's recurring truths, however, is that a complacent Pommie is a chastened one by nightfall and the Cook Cup always seems to have something unexpected lurking beneath its rim.
While England have not lost to Australia in London since 1998 it would be seriously misleading to suggest they have had an easy ride against the Wallabies recently.
An admittedly weakened English side lost 51-15 in Brisbane in June and only once in the past six years have Australia been beaten in this fixture by more than one score. As for last year's World Cup final, the gap between the teams in the final analysis was slim to say the least.
With such tiny margins involved, it is no wonder both coaches have been buzzing around the referee Paul Honiss as predictably as flies around an outback toilet. England's Andy Robinson even took the unusual step this week of showing the Kiwi official a two-minute DVD with a view to clarifying certain key areas, conclusive proof that interpretation is nowadays nine-tenths of the law.
As anyone with the faintest knowledge of Anglo-Australian sporting conflict will be aware, the English camp still believe they were unfairly treated by the refereeing of the scrummage during that fateful Sydney final.
Those who marvel at a nation who can win a World Cup and still be whingeing about the referee 12 months later have a point but England's front row are naturally keen to ensure Honiss allows no repeat of the Wallaby subterfuge that almost cost the frustrated world champions their title.
Unfortunately Robinson - and Jones - also know that the very same official penalised the stronger French scrum to distraction at Twickenham last year, hardly the sort of track record to encourage England to believe they can exert the same pressure they enjoyed against South Africa a week ago. Robinson, as a consequence, sounded yesterday like a theatre-goer who has booked tickets for a play he suspects he may not wholly enjoy.
"What we want is for scrummaging to be part of the game. It's an important part of the game and neither side want it to become a freak kick-fest," insisted Robinson.
"We want to be able to test our fitness and our skill and for both sides to play fluent rugby which tests our defence and our attack. We know Paul's potentially going to make mistakes, that happens in a game. As long as he's consistent we've got no problem."
Jones, meanwhile, has been on wonderfully laconic form all week - "There's obviously been a bit of pressure put on him from the England camp in terms of scrummaging but I'm sure that Paul will referee how he's always refereed" - and will simply ask his forwards to do whatever is necessary to supply the talented Wallaby backs with some ball.
There is no more powerful wing in the world than Lote Tuqiri and the flankers Phil Waugh and George Smith are certain to cause England more problems than the Springbok back row did last week. The absence of the injured Stephen Larkham and Stirling Mortlock is a shame for those who appreciate top-quality back play but England will still need to be vigilant even if Mike Tindall, the victim of a stomach bug, passes a fitness test today.
If not, Will Greenwood will start at outside-centre for a game that England should win by a short head. This has been a strange autumn period, with good teams such as France and South Africa suffering sudden bouts of vertigo. Now is the time for Robinson's side to keep their nerve.
ENGLAND: J Robinson (Sale Sharks, capt); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), H Paul (Gloucester), M Tindall (Bath), J Lewsey (Wasps); C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester). Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), B Kay (Leicester), A Hazell (Gloucester), H Ellis (Leicester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), B Cohen (Northampton).
Australia: C Latham (Queensland); W Sailor (Queensland), M Turinui (NSW), M Giteau (ACT), L Tuqiri (NSW); E Flatley (Queensland), G Gregan (ACT, capt); B Young (ACT), J Paul (ACT), A Baxter (NSW), J Harrison (NSW), D Vickerman (NSW), G Smith (ACT), P Waugh (NSW), D Lyons (NSW). Replacements: B Cannon (NSW), M Dunning (NSW), R Samo (ACT), S Hoiles (NSW), M Henjak (ACT), D Mitchell (Queensland), M Rogers (NSW).
Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand)
