England boss Clive Woodward today elevated Wasps prop Tim Payne to Test match status, and declared: “I have every confidence that he will step up to the mark.”

England captain Lawrence Dallaglio believes that history has swayed the odds against his team for Saturday’s World Cup final rematch against Australia.

Clive Woodward has admitted that he does not care how England win the World Cup - as long as they lift the trophy at Telstra Stadium on Saturday.