Preview: England v Australia

VENUE & TIME: Twickenham, London, Sunday November 8, 01.30 AEDT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 36 – Australia 21, England 14, Draw 1.

LAST TIME: November 15, 2008 (Twickenham) – Wallabies 28-14 England.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Old Enemy is in the midst of its worst injury crisis with 27 of Martin Johnson's initial 64 man elite squad unavailable. Among the casualties is last season's standout performer Delon Armitage (shoulder), while the entire starting front-row of Phil Vickery (neck), Andrew Sheridan (shoulder) and hooker Lee Mears (knee) is also on the wounded list. But the news is not all bad for England with Jonny Wilkinson - the most injury prone sportsman of his era - back to full fitness and ready to play his first Test match since March 2008. The Wallabies are not without their share of injuries to key personnel with first-choice midfield duo Berrick Barnes (ankle) and Stirling Mortlock (calf) both nursing injuries back in Australia. Barnes, the Wallabies' newly appointed vice-captain, will miss the remainder of the tour while former skipper Stirling Mortlock (calf) is a chance to join the tourists in time for the Ireland Test next weekend. Waratahs outside-centre Rob Horne has also returned home with a chronic hamstring strain, but perhaps the biggest concern is the absence of lock Nathan Sharpe (shoulder) whose lineout prowess was sorely missed against the All Blacks.

FORM: The Poms haven't played a Test match since their 24-22 loss to Argentina in June, and with so many experienced players missing it's anyone's guess what they'll produce this weekend. The Wallabies' 32-19 loss to the All Blacks was their sixth defeat in seven matches capping a miserable Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup campaign this season - but it wasn't all bad. Sure, they blew a half-time lead for the fifth time in six matches against the Kiwis, but the fact that they continue to put themselves in winning positions gives coach Robbie Deans something to work with. The scrum is much improved but the lineout was abysmal in Tokyo and must improve.

WHO'S HOT: Wilkinson may not have played a Test match in 20 months but his form for French Top 14 side Toulon has been good enough to see him rushed straight back into the fray. His accuracy with the boot when shooting for goal and in general play is second to none but his mere presence is enough to make the Wallabies think twice. Explosive Wallabies winger Digby Ioane made up for lost time against the All Blacks after missing the entire domestic Test series with a shoulder injury suffered late in the Super 14. The fearless 24-year-old provided the go-forward the Wallabies backline have been missing for much of the season.

WE THINK: The Wallabies begin their Grand Slam quest on the back of one of their worst domestic seasons and amid reports of serious rifts within the camp, but they remain a highly capable side. While they have struggled against their main southern hemisphere rivals under Deans' command, they have won nine out of 10 clashes against northern hemisphere opposition under the Kiwi mentor. And we expect that run of success to continue against an undermanned England outfit boasting only a sprinkling of first-choice players. Wallabies by 12.

TEAMS:

Wallabies: 1 - Benn Robinson, 2 - Stephen