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Subscribe to RSS FeedVickery lauds gold pack
Mission Marseille: Vickery is expecting a tight contest in every sense
England captain Phil Vickery believes that former Bath coach Michael Foley has helped the Australian pack iron out the creases.
England smashed the gold scrum at Twickenham two years ago, and they plan a repeat performance in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Marseille.
England coach Brian Ashton has gone for power and scrummaging expertise in the front five, recalling Vickery, hooker Mark Regan and lock Simon Shaw as England look to establish set-piece dominance.
But Australia learned their lesson that day in 2005 and have made great strides to improve their set-piece play, and Foley's work has not gone unnoticed in the England camp.
"It is going to be a huge challenge for us," said Vickery.
"Everyone has watched the Australia pack grow and grow. I've played the Australia pack a number of times, and they are well-drilled.
"Being involved in the Premiership at home, I saw what Michael Foley did with the Bath pack.
"Watching the Tri-Nations, it is noticeable that things have taken time to bed in. They've taken a while, but have come to fruition now."
Ashton will send out a front-five that tips the scales at a combined weight of 91 stones (578kg).
England, realistically, know they cannot become involved in a Barbarians-style extravaganza against arguably the tournament's best back division - on form anyway.
Ashton said: "It is important we get the most experienced players in the front five on the field at the start of the game this week.
"It will be a massive battle area, and I am perfectly happy we have got the right players on the field.
"The changes in the front-row signify we are looking for a strong emphasis scrummaging-wise at the weekend.
"Given the nature of the game and the importance of it, it was important to go with players who have been there in these sort of situations before."
Andy Farrell, meanwhile, will epitomise the "direct approach" England intend adopting to muscle Australia out of Saturday's showdown.
Ashton added: "For this game we need the direct approach Andy Farrell brings. He has come on a couple of times now as a replacement and done, I feel, particularly well.
"He has been a threat to opposition lines in terms of his kicking game, defensive work and general leadership and game management.
"That is what we are looking to bring to the game on Saturday.
"He's taken a while in this World Cup tournament to get himself where he is now.
"For the first time in a long time he is training regularly, and he has got better and better as the tournament has gone on."
Farrell, dropped following the record 36-0 World Cup loss to South Africa 19 days ago, replaces Olly Barkley in midfield as one of five personnel changes following the Pool A victory over Tonga in Paris last Friday.
Farrell took over from a defensively-suspect Barkley early in the second half, and made a try-scoring contribution as England booked their place in the last eight.
Full-back Jason Robinson, meanwhile, has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against South Africa, with Josh Lewsey moving to the wing instead of Mark Cueto, who was unavailable for selection due to a hamstring strain.
