I thought before the World Cup that England were the favourites and I still think that now.

More recently, they haven't played as well as they could have, but they still won and playing good opposition, who were playing well at the time so that's the first thing that says England are going to go in as favourites.

They are a more experienced side and they are also a more stable side.

The Australian team at the moment is a very young side there are very few guys there who were involved in the last World Cup.

That's not the be all and end all, but it is a young side in terms of international experience whereas you look at the caps in the England team and they are the most experienced international side to take the field which is a substantial thing.

Australia created a big amount of pressure on a very young New Zealand team in the semi-final, but I think England will cope with those pressure situations better than any other team.

Their forwards are extremely well drilled and as good as anybody in the scrum and the lineout. Obviously, there are weaknesses in those areas, but they are not easy to get at.

Their driving play is also vastly superior to Australia and, although you can try to move them around the field, I think if England play a field position game, as I think they probably will, defend well and apply pressure in the set-piece, it does lead to errors and presents opportunities to guys like Wilkinson with the boot or some of the other talented players outside like Cohen, Robinson and Lewsey.

I think Australia are really up against it but I do think they have a chance.

I say that because what they did last week against the All Blacks was probably the best Test performance from the Wallabies for five years.

It was against the odds and under enormous pressure, which says that they too can cope with it.

They just can't give England opportunities, by doing the things that hurt you a lot like unforced errors and discipline.

The Wallabies' discipline was superb against New Zealand, especially considering how much ball they gave away at the breakdown.

In that situation, you are looking at the tight five, which is where England will be firm favourites to win.

It's the chance of a lifetime for the Wallaby tight five and if they can win that area, it can go a long way towards Australia winning the World Cup.

But it will be difficult for Australia if England take them on at their strengths. Not impossible but difficult.

I think it will be a fantastic contest. Of course, I'll always go with my heart in these situations and say Australia.

They have a wonderful fighting spirit and if they can keep the error rate low and come out with some parity in the forwards, they do have the backs to cause any team some problems.

England have the upper hand going into it but I would not write Australia off."