Rugby World Cup: England v Australia

elli di fiore: Was I watching a different match??? Foley not man of the match??

katie shanahan: Whatever people say, you've done yourselves proud @EnglandRugby

Mr B: England - a total inability to handle pressure. Again a lack of control at the breakdown and shown up by a more streetwise team.

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Quote Message: That was the complete performance. We really need to compliment Australia. It was clinical. They were high-tempo and effective in everything they did. Can they get to that level again? Have they played one of their play-off matches in the pool round? I've not seen Australia play like that for that for two years.

That was the complete performance. We really need to compliment Australia. It was clinical. They were high-tempo and effective in everything they did. Can they get to that level again? Have they played one of their play-off matches in the pool round? I've not seen Australia play like that for that for two years.

Another look at tomorrow's back pages, and it's another picture of England captain Chris Robshaw on his knees. "Down and OUT," writes the Daily Express. 

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So, the official man of the match was England lock Joe Launchbury, beating Bernard Foley, who scored 28 points, and David Pocock, who mastered the breakdown. Life can be funny sometimes. 

They bowed out early in their own party, which perhaps explains why England's failure on home turf at this World Cup dominates the back pages. "Down and out," says the Independent. 

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With just one round of matches remaining, England are third and out while Australia and Wales occupy the top two qualifying spots. Australia currently kings of what was a deadly group.

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"Humiliated on home turf," says the Daily Telegraph. Chris Robshaw again used as the 'symbol' of defeat. 

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A dejected Chris Robshaw is on the front page of tomorrow's Sunday Times. "World Cup agony as England crash out at Twickenham," is the headline. 

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Should Stuart Lancaster's reign end? Yes, says Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 live. "England were not disciplined. He could not coach a disciplined team to get out of that pool and that is why he should go."

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Wales, depleted with injuries before and during the tournament, are through to the last eight after England's defeat. They will hope to beat Australia to top the Pool and avoid a quarter-final crunch with, possibly, South Africa. 

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"I think what sticks out for me is, when Stuart Lancaster was talking about the squad, he said 'they've come up short'. I find that bizzare."

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More from Stuart Lancaster on BBC Radio 5 live...

Have England moved forward in the last four years? "I do. Results wouldn't say that in terms of the World Cup, but overall we've won more games than we've lost and we've had some big scalps. 

"We've had a young team who've come through and I think it's important people stick with the young players.

"I think they're a fantastic group of players, they're great ambassadors for the country and fantastic role models. They've come up short today, but I don't think they'll come up short in the future."

Will you now be considering your own position?: "Well, yeah. But I wouldn't think it would just be me. But it's not for now. It's too raw at the moment."

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England head coach Stuart Lancaster on BBC Radio 5 live: "We didn't perform well enough in the important games in our pool. It was always going to be a tough pool.

"The last three years we've put in some pretty good performances, but on the day Australia were better. And that's what World Cups are all about; on the day.

"I thought we played some pretty good rugby across the game, certainly in patches, but I thought David Pocock was outstanding in the breakdown and he's a special player."

Former England international Andy Goode believes dropping George Ford proved costly. 

Gallows humour, as they say. 

Bernard Foley's 28-point haul made him one of the star men for the Wallabies, but it's Michael Hooper and David Pocock who stood out among Australia's talented troops. 

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"When you look at the way the Australian pack play, they're all distributors. Prop Sekope Kepu can pass as well as scrum-half Will Genia. And so can the locks and the second-rowers.

"But did we see any of that from England? Not at all."

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Here's what England skipper Chris Robshaw had to say in full: "As you imagine the changing room is a very quiet place. We feel we let the country down today. As players we didn't quite get there. We apologise to them. Australia played very well - but we're gutted.

"Credit to Australia, we knew across the board that they would put us under pressure and they were good today.

"The yellow card for Owen Farrell was tough, we started to build a little momentum but left ourselves a little too much to do. We felt we built up some pressure but credit to their defence."

The fall out to England's mauling against the Wallabies has begun. You can listen to former All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall and ex-England number nine Matt Dawson onBBC Radio 5 live.You can even ring them to voice your views.

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England head coach Stuart Lancaster:"We're gutted. And gutted for all the fans and everyone at home. Everyone put so much effort in but we're sorry we let everyone down.

"The first half we went in 17-3  behind and I felt that was a tough scoreline. We got back into the game but in the last five to 10 minutes, after the yellow card, Australia dominated and deserved to win.

"We came up short last week against Wales and this week - that's the bottom line. But there are some good players in this squad and I hope the nation stays behind them.

"Will I be staying behind them as their coach? It's not for me to say. I've just got to get them ready for next week."

Records have tumbled this evening. Australia’s 20-point win was their biggest against England at Twickenham.

And Bernard Foley’s 28 points were the most he has recorded in a single Test match, beating his previous best of 18 (against Wales in November 2014).

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"This is definitely the pool of death, but the rest of the pools have delivered as well - so the tournament is on fire, the attendances are sensational, the atmospheres have been brilliant and there are a host of teams doing incredibly well.

"The one team that hasn't is now out. And that's a major concern, not just for this nation, but for the game globally. Why have England fallen away so much?"

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Chris Robshaw says he is "devastated" and apologises to the country. The England captain admits that the better team won. 

No other World Cup host has failed to reach the knockout stages of their own tournament. 

Lewis Moody was England captain at the 2011 World Cup.

From the moment Australia went ahead they never seemed like relinquishing their lead. A dominant performance by the men from Down Under. 

Gracious in defeat.

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Australia captain David Pocock, as you would expect, won the most turnovers (3). Tellingly, England conceded five penalties at the scrum. 

England had beaten Australia in their last three World Cup meetings but were soundly beaten on home turf this evening. 

Australia's back-row won the breakdown arm wrestle, while the green and gold forwards dominated the last 15 minutes, denying England the chance of a comeback. 

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The recriminations begun as soon as Romain Poite blew the final whistle. 

Australia's most capped player applauds his country.

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England form a guard of honour for Australia as the Wallabies depart the field. Chris Robshaw's men defeated and humiliated.

Bernard Foley's right boot found its destination with more success than a top of the range sat nav system. Seven out of seven kicks for the Aussie fly-half. Oh, and just the two tries. No Australian has scored more against the old enemy. 

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It's Australia and Wales who survive the Group of Death, but which one will top the group? That will be decided when the two teams meet on 10 October. 

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"I don't think you can keep the same management after that. You can't go out in the group stages of your own World Cup. Something needs to change."

As Bernard Foley's conversion sails between the uprights Romain Poite toots his whistle to bring this match to its conclusion. England will progress no further at this World Cup. The party's over. 

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"The Australian scrum has been dominant in this game and the Wallabies haven't had that for some time."

Australia's forward are in control, dominating at the scrum and the wallabies pack can't contain their delight at pushing back the men in white at the scrum, they're more than happy to inflict more pain onto their wounded prey. Three minutes to go and there's no way back for England. 

Stuart Lancaster with hound-dog eyes as he perches on the edge of his seat in the coach's box. England's foundations have been shaken, another penalty for the Aussies as England err in the scrum and the hosts are rocking. It's nearly time to switch off the lights. 

Bernard Foley peerless with the boot - another penalty, 26 points for the Aussie outside-half. 

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With time ticking away, here are the permutations....

If England lose: They are out.

If it is a draw: Their hopes are still alive. For now. But their fate would depend on the result of the Wales-Australia match on 10 October and how many bonus points the three sides earn in their remaining matches.

If England nick a win: England would almost certainly go through, putting Wales in danger as a loss to the Wallabies would likely spell the end of their World Cup campaign.

The crowd hiss, but Bernard Foley rattles off another penalty, and England must now climb Everest. In 10 minutes. With 14 men. 

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"That should have been two yellow cards, Farrell should have been off and Burgess should have been off as well."

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The TMO adjudges there should be a penalty and a yellow card. "He tackled the man without the ball and that's a yellow card against 10 white," says the TMO.

England losing their heads as the battle reaches a crescendo once again and this is not an occasion for the soft-brained. 

Oh. Anthony Watson boots straight to touch and the men in white must retreat. Australia with line-out in England's half... but the Wallabies have lost their composure. 

But so too have England. Owen Farrell goes high on Matt Giteau and in the same play Sam Burgess wraps his muscly arms around Michael Hooper's neck. Both high. Both could be off. 

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Mike Catt bellowing orders at George Kruis as he waits on the sidelines before replacing Joe Launchbury. George Ford has lit England's switch, their cylinders now firing, and Twickenham filling with hope once again. 

England are fighting back and enjoying the better of territory, but Australia are still shading things in terms of possession... and the scoreboard of course

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Although England are clawing their way back into the match, Australia continue to dominate the turnovers column, with their back-row trio of Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper and David Pocock turning the ball over four times between them.

It's chaos on the pitch. The ball bobbling, players fumbling... George Ford with a beefy boot to the moon and back but Tevita Kuridrani calmly gathers. We're set for a humdinger of a finish. This is sport at its irresistible best. 

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"Is this game all set up for a Sam Burgess moment?!"

Sam Burgess is on the pitch, by the way, replacing Brad Barritt. England climbing out of hell one inch at a time. A converted try the difference and a draw would keep alive their World Cup hopes. 

"I have never experienced anything like I'm experiencing down here at the moment, it's a sensational atmosphere here at Twickenham."

Owen Farrell with a sideways glance at the uprights as is his wont, and the outside-half is freakishly accurate again.  

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Ominous. Very ominous. Australia snipping around England's 22... A rash pass from Nick Phipps, though, has the Aussies floundering... another dodgy pass from the scrum-half and George Ford boots it forward... Australia's defence in disarray, scrambling, and they're penalised at the breakdown. Owen Farrell with a chance to reduce the arrears. 

"Come on," says Richard Wigglesworth to his forwards, urging the big men upfield as Australia's Stephen Moore prepares to aim at the line-out - but England steal the ball... a wall of noise inside Twickenham... 

But England fail to counter-attack at speed. Michael Hooper turns over ball from Tom Wood. It's difficult to gather momentum with the Poopers bossing the breakdown. 

"You can sense a switch in the relative speeds of the teams - all of a sudden, England have got it over Australia."

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England fly-half Danny Cipriani - another to miss out on the World Cup squad  - enjoyed that try from Anthony Watson.

We're now in England's half, but Tom Youngs, galvanised, steals possession... but it's a messy exchange of play, the ball booted back and forth...

"Ford has been a massive difference, he's been taking it to the line, a little bit like Foley for Australia. Ford has all the vision in the world and he's running the show at the moment."

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Kieran Brookes is another fresh face into the England front-row, the tight-head prop replacing Dan Cole. 

A honeyed platform for England's backline but England swamped bymen in green and gold... England retaining possession, though, even though they're losing ground. 

But, hang on, Tom Wood injects impetus... Promising...

"Dan Cole was lucky to get away with that - if Bernard Foley had caught that, he was away and in for a try."

Temperatures rising as England secure line-out ball and recycle... George Ford zig-zagging... the hosts spinning from one side to another... 

Bernard Foley intercepts Jonathan Joseph's pass. A deliberate knock-on? No, says the TMO, just simply a knock-on. It could have been a penalty try but, instead, England must make do with a scrum on Australia's 22. 

Dan Cole perhaps lucky to get away with a little contact there on the Australia fly-half as he tried to regather.  

England did not pick former European player of the year Steffon Armitage, a renowned breakdown operator, because he plays his club rugby in France.  

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Much of the pre-match chat centered around Australia's threat at the breakdown. And here are the grim numbers for Stuart Lancaster's side...

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Perhaps unsurprisingly Mako Vunipola comes on for Joe Marler as England make more changes. 

Oof. A late charge into Chris Robshaw by Kane Douglas and England opt for touch. Prince Harry bellowing at the team from the posh seats, adding his voice to the 80,000-strong roar. 

"You are definitely not straight," referee Romain Poite tells punk prop Joe Marler. "Now you have to be very disciplined." 

Bernard Foley, successful with three from three so far, continues his unblemished record. Tap, tap, tap, another nail into England's World Cup coffin. 

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"The referee has just given Marler a final warning and England have to get him off now, because if England go down the 14 men, it's game over."

"Everyone is going to be talking about Giteau coming over from France to play for Australia, it's the kind of knowledge he brings that you need to win a World Cup."

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England must climb their way back into the light by the might of their collective will, but they're making sloppy errors. Too many men in the line-out, presenting the Aussies with a put-in at the scrum with the England 22 in shoving distance. And shove the Wallabies do, a push and a shove and the England scrum retreats. Oh my. 

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The crowd chirping about chariots swinging low as Australia have put-in at the scrum after an Anthony Watson knock-on. Will Genia messes up the box kick, though, and England steal possession... 

Excitable roars inside the stadium, but they are silenced by David Pocock. The flanker with a vice-like grip around Tom Wood and the ball. 

Michael Hooper and David Pocock smile at each other, as if to say "we've got them on toast". 

Jonny May injured, apparently, which has forced Stuart Lancaster to show his hand earlier than he would have wanted. Australia monopolising possession in these early stages. 

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What will the change in personnel do to England's fortunes. The second half is up and running so we'll soon find out. 

A reminder of who scored what during the break as George Ford trots onto the field. Jonny May the man who has been sacrificed. Jonathan Joseph to the wing, Owen Farrell to 12. 

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Both teams have conceded two penalties apiece at the scrum, which is perhaps one area England could target the Aussies in the second half - although, worryingly for the hosts, Joe Marler was penalised for not going in straight at the scrum in the first half. Who knows in which direction Romain Poite will raise his arm.

England's set-piece game is going well - shame that the backline failed to ignite during the first half.

All five of Tom Youngs' line-outs have found a white shirt, with Geoff Parling leaping to win four of them. And the Red Rose side have succeeded in three of their four scrums.

Unfortunately for England fans, the Australia set-piece has been faultless...

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Former Wales international Adam Jones is happy, along with probably the rest of Wales right now. Not looking good for England.

No team has overturned a 14-point deficit in Rugby World Cup history. I repeat: no team has bounced back from a 14-point deficit in the history of this tournament. But someone has to be a first, I guess. 

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They said the breakdown would be key, they have so far been proven right. Michael Hooper and David Pocock ruining England's chances of gaining quick ball. 

"England need to capitalise on their territory and possession. Australia are ruthless and clinical - England are not..."

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That's the end of the half and England must dig deep into their reserves and achieve something no other English team has done before - battle back from a 14-point deficit at the break. 

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Australia charging forward at panther-like speeds. England retreating, on their heels... Adam Ashley-Cooper sprinting down the wing... the right winger stopped in full flight, but Michael Hooper comes charging late into the breakdown and that's foul play, sir. England with a breather. Can they work their way into the opposition half? Meh. The hosts slow and pedestrian. 

Former England prop Duncan Bell has that sinking feeling after Foley's second try...

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"The beginning of that move was straight off the training park - all the big runners came on the trundle, Genia used them as a screen and Australia's backs came streaming right. It was the stuff of a coach's dreams."

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There have been plenty of scrums in this match and although neither team has lost on their own put-in, Romain Poite is frequently tooting his whistle on this set-piece. 

Joe Marler not driving straight, says the referee, and Australia have a touchfinder behind enemy lines. 

"England need to get the ball to Joseph in space, he's looked absolutely dynamic and by far their most dangerous player."

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The energised Joe Launchbury charges down Will Genia's box kick, but Owen Farrell hasn't got the speed to punish the men in green and gold and the hosts must again prepare for a wave of green and gold attack. Launchbury huffing and puffing, the lock has covered acres in the last five minutes. 

Joe Launchbury, with the finesse of a sledgehammer, charges through two defenders, a burst which takes his team on the verge of the 22... but David Pocock, the jackal, is bossing the breakdown and sniffs out England ball. 

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Australia opt from the long line-out, Ben Morgan and Chris Robshaw drive the visitors infield and earn a put-in at the scrum as the Aussies fail to release. And that's another penalty for the men in white, Australia penalised at the scrum. 

England's Rugby World cup winning scrum-half Matt Dawson is worried about the scrum...

A round of applause for Australia's forwards from, well, themselves. Dan Cole caught turning the scrum and that gives Australia the chance to boot it into the hosts' 22 and march forward for the line-out. Worrying times for Stuart Lancaster's men. 

"Israel Folau is not the best kicker in the world so if England can launch long kicks to him in the corners, that might test out his defensive game."

One is not impressed.

But David Pocock, the master of the breakdown, nicks the ball and Australia boot it long, into opposition territory. The visitors off the hook. 

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Edge-of-the-seat stuff as Jonathan Joseph bursts through the middle... England charging forward, hovering near Australia's 22... the hosts looking for an immediate riposte. 

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"It was a classic mismatch that every rugby-playing back in the world dreams of - three Australian backs against a couple of England forwards, England were bound to break eventually." 

Israel Folau sashays through midfield... anxiety rippling around the stadium whenever the light-footed full-back receives the ball. 

Momentum swinging like an overworked pendulum. Australia now in enemy territory and are awarded a put-in at the scrum inside England's 22.

Owen Farrell puts Jonathan Joseph in all sorts of trouble with a rushed flick over the shoulder, an Australian defender comes racing up and not even Houdini could wriggle his way out of that sort of straight jacket. England aiming to play on the front foot, though, which is why the crowd are probably signing. 

Australia's lightning-quick start, in terms of both possession and territory, is illustrated rather neatly in our snazzy graphic. But - in the one statistic that really matters - England have fought back to level.

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High-octane, high-tempo stuff... Joe Launchbury and Tom Wood go pumping and snorting down the wing... England building momentum, retaining possession.. a cute flick to Mike Brown and the hosts are nearing Australia's 22...

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Owen Farrell in front of the posts. Owen Farrell as accurate as ever. 

An early shuffle in the Australian line-up, Kurtley Beale replacing winger Rob Horne... Eventually play restarts... Ben Youngs presents the ball to his hooker, but Sekope Kepu is unsteady on his feet, which gifts the peerless Owen Farrell a chance to level the score. 

"What I liked about that move from England was that Joseph and Barritt seemed to have better synergy than last week. The subtle little changes, with Farrell switching position, altered the picture defensively for Australia."

Leicester Tigers and England fly-half Freddie Burns loved Mike Brown's early tackle.

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A magnificent offload from Owen Farrell, releasing Anthony Watson... decibels rise inside Twickenham... the winger caught but England retaining possession, punching holes... and a short, sharp shrill of Romain Poite's whistle signals a put-in at the scrum for England in a promising position. 

"Australia are all over England at the breakdown, they need to chop them lower and get them on the ground."

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Australia menacing... Michael Hooper scoops it out of the backend of the scrum... Will Genia dictating play, patiently they recycle... Ben Foley with the diagonal high kick... Israel Folau rises high but knocks on. 

England were offside, though, which presents Bernard Foley with a routine penalty. There's hissing, whistling, a right carry on but the Aussie outside-half maintains his zen-like calm. 

"I cannot emphasise enough how good that tackle by Mike Brown was. If he comes in and misses that, it's try-time all day long."

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A peachy line-out for the visitors who spin it wide... tryline beckoning... the ball finds the dancing Israel Folau but - Bang! - Mike Brown with a bone-cruncher on the full-back, making amends for his earlier error. 

A certain former Bath and England prop not impressed by England's start...

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First cries of "Swing Low" echo around the grand arena as Will Genia prepares to put in at the scrum... a sturdy platform for the men in green and gold, a well-weighted diagonal kick by Ben Foley and Mike Brown, all sorts of options running through his mind, grazes the touchline and Australia have throw in 5m from England's line. Eek. 

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Aussie open-side flanker Michael Hooper starts this match like something out of the opening sequence of a batman movie. Kerpow! And he's wrapped himself around outside-half Owen Farrell. But the Aussies knock on, presenting England with a put-in at the scrum. Wallabies penalised at the scrum and England have easy ball...

A toot of Romain Poite's whistle and the 26th match of this World Cup gets under way. Too much of a good thing is a wonderful thing.

Call off the match, there's no point going any further with this evening because the result of our vote is in. We asked would England beat Australia and 54% of you said yes. Optimistic? Loyal? Wise? We'll find out in 80 minutes. 

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Come in Australia. This is Big Brother. Please leave the Rugby World Cup.

Ashes check. Rugby World Cup, bear with us...

Spine-tingling stuff as God Save the Queen is sung passionately by a chorus of 80,000. 

But onto Australia's team news... they've made 14 changes to the team that beat Uruguay, naming the same XV that faced Fiji in their opening game of the tournament.

Bernard Foley returns at fly-half over Quade Cooper, with Michael Hooper alongside David Pocock in the back row and Matt Giteau at inside-centre.

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As the players line up for the anthems and 80,000 fans rise in unison, let's remind ourselves of the teams. 

There's no Sam Burgess in England's starting line-up because Jonathan Joseph has recovered from a pectoral injury and has been recalled. 

Number eight Ben Morgan and lock Joe Launchbury replace injured pair Billy Vunipola and Courtney Lawes, while scrum-half Ben Youngs is fit to start after going off in the second half of the defeat by Wales with an ankle injury. That's about it. 

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England head coach Stuart Lancaster: "We've got to start well - no doubt about it. But it is an 80-minute game and I think it will go right down to the wire. Our decision-making and accuracy needs to be there for the full 80.

"Walking into the stadium was unbelievable and that's why we're playing for everyone watching - both here and across the country. 

"Now it is over to the players - but they're ready."

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The lights have been dimmed inside Twickenham and spotlights are in full beam... Chris Robshaw leading his men through the bowels of the stadium and into a wall of sound. Five minutes until this cracker gets under way. 

Will history be repeating itself at Twickenham tonight? 

Northampton centre Luther Burrell missed out on England's World Cup squad but he's right behind them tonight. Although getting more nervous as kick-off nears it seems.

Australia have been under England's thumb in their most recent World Cup meetings with the men wearing the Red Rose on their chest winning on the last three encounters. 

There was a quarter-final win in 1995, and that 2003 victory Down Under, which was a rather muzzled celebration, and then came the two-point 2007 win in the quarter-finals.

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England football manager Roy Hodgson is at Twickenham. Now there's a man who knows a thing or two about guiding England to the latter stages of World Cups. Oh. Hang on...

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These old rivals have been jostling with an oval ball since 1909 and have been evenly matched, especially since the sport turned professional in 1995. Twelve wins to England, twelve wins to Australia and one draw. 

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We couldn't possibly comment, Jonathan...

What has Will Carling got to say for himself this week? He was described as out of touch by England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth for his criticisms of the team after the Wales defeat. 

This week? The former England captain sees light, dancing through meadows, a world full of bonhomie... That sort of thing.

"We find out today about the England team and how they will operate under this white hot pressure. I have a sneaky feeling that we will all be impressed and the English will still be smiling tonight," he says. 

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What the price of an England defeat? Elimination at this premature stage would knock billions off the UK stock market, according to a professor of business at London Business School.  

"A rugby loss leads to a next-day decline of 0.15 per cent, which is roughly £3bn when applied to the UK stock market," he said. 

The sales of chariots would take a hit, I guess.

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Unfortunately for those following the Red Roses, England haven't got qualification wrapped up yet. 

One man who won't have any St George's flags in his living room, or blow-up wallabies for that matter is Wales coach Warren Gatland who says he will be torn watching tonight's match. 

If England lose, Wales' are through to the last eight but Galtand says: "If we were being selfish about our own destiny Australia can do us a big favour.

"But it's a bit hard for a Kiwi to be cheering Aussies, so I think I'll be quite neutral for this weekend." 

Is that really the truth, Mr Gatland?

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How many flags are too many? There's no such thing, according to Mac. 

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Australia coach Michael Cheika: "We need to be calm but also have a bit of edge. Every centimetre will be competed for, every ball will be competed for with energy and physicality. 

"The variables are so many, it depends how the two sides play as to what areas can be exploited. We just want to play our game. 

"We have worked hard in some areas where we have suffered against England in the past, sharpened our attack and worked on things that you can't see on the camera. It is a good balance of all things and we just have to make sure we fulfill our potential."

Big Rich: England v Aus...it's a thinking game. Think of your part, think of moments, think of your family. Be proud! Now lose for us! Wales  

Wingnut: Pre-game chat for England in a nut shell -THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED FOR YOU ARE ENGLAND'S BEST .. DO US PROUD !!!

England dominated in the scrum when these sides last met 11 months ago, but what's all the fuss about? There's an interactive guide on this very website to help us understand one of the most baffling parts of the game - and line-outs, rucks and tackles - which will be key in this evening's crunch match. 

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The mind games began early this week when Australia's 1991 World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer accused England of scrummaging illegally, saying loose-head Joe Marler went in at an angle. 

"Neither of them scrummage square. Both of them angle in," Dwyer, speaking about Marler and Mako Vunipola, told the Daily Telegraph.

Are Dwyer's words enough to sow seeds of doubt in Marler's mind, and that of tonight's referee Romain Poite? 

Not so, says England's forwards coach Graham Rowntree who said he's since had a "very positive conversation" with Joel Jutge, World Rugby's high performance match official manager. We shall wait and see...

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England will be hoping to iron out the creases, too...

Who is David Pocock? Firstly, good question, mainly because I was about to talk some more about him. 

The Australian captain has been described as the World Cup's most interesting man - an environmental activist, gay rights campaigner, charity advocate and charismatic leader. 

As our chief sports writer Tom Fordyce says: "This is a man who not only does things on the pitch that other players cannot. He does things off it that most seldom consider."

To read more of Tom's brilliant profile on the man who bucks the trend in every aspect of his life click here. 

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Much of the build-up to this match has focused on Australia's two jackals - David Pocock and Michael Hooper. The duo will be starting just their third Test together but they're so admired these days that they're an axis simply referred to as Pooper. Or something like that. 

In his latest column, Jeremy Guscott says: "Australia effectively play with two open-side flankers with Michael Hooper and David Pocock in their back row. They will exploit any opportunity to steal ball and, at worst, will slow down England's recycling and force them to commit extra men to rucks.

"England have to nullify the breakdown and take it out of the equation as a possible match-winning factor."

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If Sir Clive Woodward stoked the flames, Sale outside-half Danny Cipriani has added lighter fuel to the blaze. 

"There’s not one Australian that would get into the England team right now," said the Englishman in hisPaddy Power column. 

We're unable to confirm what universe Cipriani was inhabiting when he uttered such words. Israel Folau? Michael Hooper? David Pocock? Matt Giteau? None of them, Danny? 

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Mark Webster: Don't panic. Stay calm. Think. Do the basics really well. Treat the game like a quarter final, not end of RWC dream  

David n weighell: Don't panic, prove everbody wrong and enjoy the moment, this is why you play at the top level

Craig David Donovan: Alright lads, no pressure, but if we lose, we'll never live it down. So let's get out there, kick some Aussie ass & win!

A sea of humanity surrounding Twickenham stadium. Will it be the last time England fans cheer their men on in this tournament? 

For dumb, foolish folk, Australia have been talking sense this week. Captain David Pocock says the Wallabies will tread the fine line between launching an all-out attack on the breakdown and ensuring they don't give the freakishly accurate Owen Farrell a chance to boot the hosts to victory.

"In bigger games, the margins are smaller," Pocock has said. "We have to make the correct decisions around the breakdown, being disciplined in what we do, but also backing ourselves to go for any opportunities."

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Sir Clive Woodward, the man who guided England to World Cup glory in 2003, has stoked the flames by claiming the Wallabies aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. 

"Contrary to popular belief, they are not the brightest team, they give away penalties and pick up yellow cards when they’re stretched,"he says in the Daily Mail. What did Michael Cheika have to say about that? "He's probably right - it's not the IQ but the EQ."

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England could look to the past for inspiration: the 26-17 win over Cheika's side last November, featuring a pair of tries from David Pocock's opposite number Ben Morgan, and the even more stirring victory in that horribly tense World Cup quarter-final in Marseille eight years ago.

But Australia  could do the same: when they last beat England at Twickenham, in the autumn of 2012, not only was the same opposition front row in place - Joe Marler, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole - but so was the referee, Romain Poite.

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What sort of musical band would your team be? The Wallabies - they'd be a rock outfit. I'm basing that on nothing more than the fact the squad had ACDC's Thunderstruck blasting out of Twickenham's sound system during the Captain's Run on Friday. 

"We want to put a smile on our faces. We want to have a bit of fun as well," said coach Michael Cheika, who knows it's a Long Way to the Top. 

'I'm not sure how the song came about. One of the coaches, Stephen Larkham, who's a slightly random type of fellow, just decided to turn it on at training one day earlier this week. I've come to love it now."

It leaves us asking: will Australia be shaking England all night long? (I'm sorry...)

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"It's nervous at Twickenham. And drunk, but definitely nervous. And why wouldn't it be? No England supporter wants to wave goodbye so soon. 

"At the last football World Cup, England went out in the group stages. At the last cricket World Cup, England went out in the group stages. Hat-tricks are not always welcome events."  

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There have been many rallying calls in the last 48 hours or so, with the words of England scrum-half Ben Youngs perhaps one of the most passionate. 

Youngs, fit to start after recovering from an ankle injury, has called on his team-mates to blow away their opponents in the opening 20 minutes. 

"Australia have a reason to quit. They can go to Wales and get a result, they can afford to lose a game, we can't and we've got to make sure we give them a reason to quit," said the Leicester scrum-half. 

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Jonny Wilkinson, of course, knows a thing or two about beating the Aussies in crunch matches. 

Stuart Lancaster will be hoping this match is as charming on the eye for English fans as a Joe Root cover drive... 

Giant Wallabies (no, not Kangaroos, that's the other code) at Twickenham.

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Here's how things are currently swinging in the Group of Death. 

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Now is as good a time as any to attempt to explain the scenarios in this cruelest of Pools. 

For the hosts, there's mental clarity because if England lose this evening they are out of the tournament. Goodnight Vienna.

If England win they would almost certainly go through, putting Wales in danger as a loss to the Wallabies next weekend would likely spell the end of their campaign.

But what of a draw? England's hopes are still alive. For now. But their fate would depend on the result of the Wales v Australia match and how many bonus points the three sides earn in their remaining matches.

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"Just Do It," is the Daily Express' simple yet effective headline. 

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"World on their shoulders," is the Guardian's headline and the paper's rugby union correspondent Robert Kitson writes: "Stuart Lancaster’s men must climb personal Everests against Australia."

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The teams have arrived at Rugby HQ and former Eastenders actor Ross Kemp has dressed for battle.

How have you prepared for the big match? Tweet us using the hashtag#bbcrugby

Dear Daily Telegraph, it seems the feeling is mutual Down Under...

Quote Message: It doesn't matter whether it's cricket, rugby union, rugby league - we all hate England. from John O'Neill Former Australia RFU CEO

It doesn't matter whether it's cricket, rugby union, rugby league - we all hate England.

The Daily Telegraph have opted for a chest-puffed-out sort of back page today. "Are you a winner? Will you make your family proud?" they ask us. Yes and yes, thank you. 

"As any Englishman or Englishwoman will tell you, there is nothing that can compare to the chagrin of losing, at anything, to Australia," they say.

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Stuart Lancaster will be telling his team to make their families proud, to "do it for each other". But what would your team talk be for tonight's match as the players huddle in the changing room, pulses racing, the smell of Deep Heat in the nostrils... 

Tweet us using the hashtag #bbcrugby, text 81111 or visit BBC Sport's Facebook page. 

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It's a simple question for this evening, it is Saturday night after all. Will England beat Australia? Yes or no. The vote will close at 19:50 BST so make your choice, click and await the sound of drum roll as the result is announced.

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The south west of London has turned into a river of green and gold. Bouncing Wallabies, yellow wigs, a bunch of Aussies ready for battle. 

Bag of super-sized crisps? Check. Prince Harry masks? Check? Dame Edna Everage masks? Check. Sounds like everyone's ready for this colossal contest. 

The pre-match chit-chat will start on BBC Radio 5 live at 18:30 BST, which you can listen to via this page. Live match coverage gets under way at 20:00 BST, and will be followed by a 606 phone-in at 22:00 BST. 

Don't forget latest scores and results can be beamed to your phone via the BBC Sport app. Click here to read more about how to follow the action. 

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Spiffingly nice mustaches, chaps...

It seems that a Wallaby has bred with a dragon and produced an interesting-looking Australian-Welsh hybrid. 

Defeat for England, of course, would ensure Wales progress to the last eight regardless of the result of their match against Australia on 10 October. 

Up until about 9.30pm seven days ago, England fans were filled with hope. They were ahead in the Group of Death's first killer match, an injury-hit Wales had lost more personnel in the field of battle; the visitors were down, bloodied and bruised. 

But in a breathless second half fortunes changed. A fabulous try. An iffy line-out call and in a chaotic ending Wales delivered a win like no other.

It was a devastating defeat for England which leaves the hosts with two options: to come back from a calamitous defeat or to leave their own party. 

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Hello! Welcome to live coverage of England's free-for-all against Australia. It's a must-win match for England, this is do-or-die stuff. 

Defeat and Stuart Lancaster's men become the first Rugby World Cup hosts to fail to reach the knockout stages.

It's the biggest pool match in World Cup history since, well, last Saturday actually. 

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Ladies and gentlemen, these are Stuart Lancaster's tub-thumping words for this evening's grand occasion: 

Quote Message: Do it for everyone. Do it for the rugby clubs and the mums and dads and the kids that play rugby, for their families, for the former players but, ultimately, do it for each other. from Stuart Lancaster England coach

Do it for everyone. Do it for the rugby clubs and the mums and dads and the kids that play rugby, for their families, for the former players but, ultimately, do it for each other.

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The world has been invited to your party, millions have been spent ensuring it'll be a shindig no-one will ever forget. What a celebration it will be - an exclusively rare bash to unite and inspire. There's even talk of legacy. 

And the whole thing starts with a bang - Mardi Gras and a gladiatorial brawl all rolled into one. But nothing in life ever goes to plan. A notice of eviction is unexpectedly served up. Those near neighbours causing a right to-do. Yet there is one certainty, the party will continue with or without you. 

Do you sit back and let fate play its hand or turn up the volume and refuse to yield? Death or glory? Do-or-die?