England lock Geoff Parling excited by France clash

If they do advance into the knockout stages, Johnson predicts they will benefit from having been battle hardened against high-calibre opposition.

“It’s the toughest pool there has ever been in a World Cup and someone will be going home early”.

“Whoever loses England versus Wales, their next game becomes a must-win”.

The arrival formed part of a visit to the eastern counties during the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, prior to the tournament itself getting under way in England next month.

The debate rages on as to whether Sam Burgess can play worldwide rugby union at centre, but whatever happens in this weekend’s acid test against France at Twickenham, former England captain Martin Johnson insists the experiment will be well worth it.

Danny Cipriani is also in contention for World Cup selection, although as third choice his only possible route to England 2015 is if Lancaster takes a utility player by sacrificing a specialist wing or full-back. “We had a good experience of that a couple of weeks ago in training where we moved away from the shape that we’d been practising because people were desperate to get their hands on the ball to prove a point, and I think there was a lesson learned”.

“However, it will be fantastic to be involved right at the heart of the World Cup, but there is no guarantee that I’ll get to see the game”.

“It’s a flawless opening game for Fiji because while everyone is talking about England, Wales and Australia, they’ll be thinking “whoa, don’t forget us, we can play a bit too”, he said”.

For some playing against France on Saturday, they know a below average performance will ensure their Rugby World Cup dreams disappear quicker than the English summer. They also claim it will make it safer for spectators to cross the road on foot. They hung in there for three quarters of the match (thanks to a combination of time-wasting and attacking prowess), with the capacity crowd sensing a first victory over New Zealand since 1953, only to run out of puff – the All Blacks scoring three tries in the final 10 minutes.

The Hawk-Eye system, which comprises up to 36 cameras offering multiple angle replays in real time and slow motion and includes a powerful zoom option, will be in place throughout the World Cup following a successful trial in the Guinness PRO12.

You only have to look at him to see the size of the bloke.

The tournament kicks off on September 18 when the host nation face Fiji at Twickenham and Andrew, now the RFU’s professional rugby director, does not want to let this opportunity to grow rugby go to waste.

“Two World Cup finals and a 1999 semi-final were won by drop goals in extra time so you have to have it in your armoury – and the referee was never going to give us a penalty in that 2003 final”.

This year’s Rugby World Cup will be held in various massive stadiums around the UK which are normally used exclusively for U2 and Lady Gaga concerts.