Aussie chief tips England for World Cup glory

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill has rated England as “absolute and deserving favourites” to win the World Cup in November and all but dismissed his own side’s chances.

The Wallabies may be defending champions after beating France in the Cardiff final of 1999, but O’Neill cannot see past Clive Woodward’s side becoming the first to take the Webb Ellis Trophy back to the northern hemisphere.