Can England emulate 2003 triumph on home soil at Rugby World Cup?

Regular captain Chris Robshaw is definitely out of the first France fixture on August 15th, so Lancaster has named Northampton’s Tom Wood as skipper in his stead. Also included in the XV are Henry Slade and rugby league crossover Sam Burgess at inside centre, who both their international union bows.

Those set to turn out at Twickenham for the first time in this match will read emblazoned words ‘Hundreds before you, thousands around you, millions behind you’ in the tunnel.

Intense pressure that comes with the territory of being a host nation can go one of two ways; it can galvanise to greatness as the London Olympics did for British track and field athletes, or can boil over and break sportsmen and women like Brazil’s 7-1 mauling by Germany in the football World Cup semi-finals of 2014.

Lancaster knows that Pool A is one of the toughest groups England could have at the tournament, with the Aussies joining fellow Six Nations side Wales and Pacific Nations cup winners Fiji in all aiming to reach the knockout phase.

Australia made recent history by beating Rugby World Cup favourites New Zealand for the first time since 2011, just their third win in 24 attempts. Such great strides being made by one of England’s rivals ensures Pool A will be nerve-racking for supporters.

Should Lancaster’s side come through such tests as expected, though, as Coral make them 6/5 favourites to finish top of their group, they will likely have to beat the All Blacks to win a second Rugby World Cup. England have all the attributes to do this, but it will be tough.

New Zealand have just lost to their neighbours and South Africa recently, but Lancaster will have noted glimmers of weakness in those defeats. The All Blacks could be better at set pieces and may be lacking a little bit of quality in midfield. England will have to exploit areas like this to ensure the Rugby World Cup comes home.