England are favourites says Australia coach Michael Cheika

Michael Cheika insists Australia are still underdogs for Saturday's make-or-break World Cup encounter with England despite the hosts' damaging defeat to Wales.

England boss Stuart Lancaster's international career will come under increasing scrutiny at Twickenham on Saturday night, where another defeat could well dump the hosts out of the tournament following the loss to Wales which leaves them playing catch-up

Failure to reach the quarter-finals would cement England's place into the history books for all the wrong reasons - as the worst-performing hosts of a World Cup.

But Wallabies head coach Cheika says England remain favourites on Saturday.

"You'd have to think we're still underdogs, playing in their backyard," he said.

"I was talking to some of the lads the other day - when the thunder starts at Twickenham, you've got to be ready for it.

"They've been very successful at that ground, so it's just about being ready to be yourself and play our way, and play the best we can and let the cards fall as they may.

"Every team's got the ability to bounce back, that's the joy of rugby. You play one week then get the chance to go out the next. I don't think there's any doubt about that.

"We're more than aware of that, because we've been in similar positions, losing one week and needing to win the next. I'm sure they'll believe strongly they'll beat us, and I'm sure that's all that counts."

Cheika could not resist a slight dig at England.

"I don't know if it would damage the tournament if England are knocked out early, that's not my domain," said Cheika.

"I'm just the simple old coach of the Australian team. I'm not trying to avoid anything, I just don't know. It's been a great tournament so far, though. It shows just how popular rugby is in England.

He then highlighted how little experience he had at the top level, compared to the three years Lancaster has had to prepare for this World Cup.

"We're coming from a fair way back, we've got a relatively inexperienced coaching staff at international level - we're all pretty much babies at it, not in age obviously, but in experience," said Cheika.

"And so we're just doing our best as we go along. They've had a long time together, and planning this.

"So I'm really happy with the way we've approached it but I'm still looking for big improvements, we've still got more improvement in us, mentally, tactically and physically in our game."