Key England role for Wilson

Wilson: Backed to take on Robinson

Robinson is a world leader. He was the standout loose-head in the Tri-Nations. David is still young but we believe he's still up to the job

Graham Rowntree
Quotes of the week

England v Australia
Saturday 2pm, live on Sky Sports 2 and HD2

Related links

Teams

• Australia
• England

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Rugby on Sky
• Live scores
• Video highlights

England rookie prop David Wilson has been backed by scrum coach Graham Rowntree to bring down Australia scrum saviour Benn Robinson at Twickenham.

Wilson will be making only his second Test start for England as a result of injuries to veteran tight-head pair Phil Vickery and Julian White, and the 24-year-old has his work cut out for him.

Robinson has been rated by England's management as the best loose-head in the Tri-Nations and is viewed by many as the player that salvaged a once fragile Wallaby scrum.

"Robinson is a world leader. He was the standout loose-head in the Tri-Nations. David is still young but we believe he's still up to the job," said Rowntree.

"We want him to come through because he's got all the attributes. He's technically excellent in what he does. He's developed as a character and is performing more of a leadership role."

England flattened Australia's set-piece at Twickenham in 2005 and again in the World Cup quarter-final at Stade Velodrome in 2007.

The Wallabies might previously have tried to avoid a full-on scrummaging contest to cover their weaknesses, but with the addition of Robinson this no longer appears to be the case.

Rowntree has taken this into account and has brought in Steve Thompson as hooker alongside Wilson and Tim Payne, with a scrummaging battle in mind.

Respect

"I have a lot of respect for Australia," said Rowntree. "The balance of power at the scrum shifted throughout the Tri-Nations. We are preparing for a good scrummaging contest.

"I've been very impressed with Steve Thompson. One thing he has done really well for Brive has been scrummaging. He's a big man and I've been very impressed with his attitude.

"We watched him closely in Brive and he's actually flowered in the environment we have in place here."

Thompson will win his 49th cap for England in the clash, but will be featuring alongside Jonny Wilkinson for the first time since the 2003 World Cup final.

Lewis Moody will also return, bringing crucial knowledge to the inexperienced squad, which includes six players who count their international caps in single figures.

"Thompson's leadership and maturity has really come through this week. His perspective on things, with what he has been through, has also been there," said team manager Martin Johnson.

"Jonny's leadership in the group has been fantastic, his communication with the players, and particularly the younger guys.

"These guys have seen what he has done over the last 10 years playing for England and it's a tremendous amount, so you can't really say too much more than that.

"It really helps someone like Davey Wilson to have a guy like Steve Thompson around. It is good to have characters like that around."