Stuart Barnes says that England must forget about bonus points

England kick of the 2015 World Cup at Twickenham against Fiji and expectations are high for the hosts to follow in the triumphant 2003 teams footsteps.

However they have been drawn in a tough pool with Australia and Wales also in contention for the quarter-finals. With only two teams able to progress bonus points could be the difference between success and failure.

England, Wales and Australia will no doubt all score four or more tries against Uruguay for the bonus point win so whoever manages a winning bonus point against Fiji will have the edge in deciding on who goes on.

However Stuart Barnes says that England must focus on beating Wales and Australia if they want to aim for World Cup glory.

"It will be a bonus if England play well but the key for England is not to chase the bonus point," said Barnes on Sky Sports News.

"No team has ever lost a pool game and gone on to win the tournament and I don't think England can buck that trend - if they beat Fiji, Wales and Australia then they will be in the knock-out stages. The key for England against Fiji is to get their game ready for Wales and then Australia. 

"If England were not playing at home then I honestly believe that they would not have a sniff in this World Cup.

"They are playing at Twickenham though and they will have 80,000 odd people supporting them. What they have to do is convince themselves deep down that they can win because of the Twickenham factor.

"England need to make statement today - they have to say this is who we are and we are not worried about the fifth point."

Danger man

England come up against a talented Fiji side who could be tricky customers if England's forwards do not take control. They have some rampaging backs in the shape of Vereniki Goneva and Nemani Nadolo.

Another danger man for England is scrum-half Nikola Matawalu, and Barnes said England's back row have to unsettle him.

"Matawalu is such a  danger man to the opposition but when things are not going to plan then he can be a danger to his own team," explained Barnes

"He does have a habit of trying to force the game. He is a brilliant crowd pleaser and a Sevens genius but technically he is a little bit loose. I will be stunned if the England back row do not try and maximise pressure on him. If they give him space then he is very dangerous; going backwards then I think he is one of the biggest weaknesses in this Fiji side."

Crusaders winger Nandolo is tipped to be one of the tournament's super stars and at 6ft 5in and 120kgs, the inevitable comparisons with Jonah Lomu are bound to be made. However Barnes believes that England winger Anthony Watson could turn the tables on the Fijian giant.

"This comment may bite me later on but I don't think Nandolo is the same quality of Lomu. He does not have the acceleration - he is an exceptional talent though and reminds me of Rupeni Caucaunibuca that brilliant Fijian winger of 2003.

"Nandolo is quick, has great feet and is an amazing goal kicker. But I think defensively he is a little bit vulnerable and while Anthony Watson will not want to see him get the ball with 10 metres to spare, I think if Watson gets the ball, one-on-one with Nandolo, I think he will step him.

"Watson is a little bit quicker and I think he will cause as many problems for Nandolo as the Fijian does for him."