England will use the lessons learned four years ago in the 1999 quarter final loss to South Africa to prepare for a resurgent Wales in quarter final 4 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday night.
Form Guide
England enter the match on the strength of some compelling form. If anything, the world’s number one ranked side have only enhanced their favouritism to win the 2003 RWC with an unbeaten run through Pool C.
As expected, they cruised past Georgia (84-6) and Uruguay (111-13), scoring a record 17 tries in the latter, including a record five to Josh Lewsey.
Their feature clash against South Africa on Perth’s Subiaco Oval on 18 October was as epic as expected.
England won the game 25-6 against a Springbok outfit that were in touch until midway through the second half, when Will Greenwood scored the only try of the match.
England were then rocked by a fired up Samoa in their penultimate match in pool play. The Pacific Islanders threw everything into a full blooded offensive and defensive display that had England scrambling for much of the match.
However, the favourites showed a lot of composure to score two late converted tries to run out eventual 35-22 winners. England though, will be very wary of the Welsh, who have recaptured some of the famous Red Dragon panache and passion.
The Welsh impressed first up in Pool D with a solid 41-10 win over Canada followed by two close wins over Tonga (27-20) and Italy (27-15).
They entered the Pool D decider against the unbeaten All Blacks overwhelming underdogs with coach Steve Hansen deciding to rest a number of key players.
After a wobbly start the Red Dragons came alive with one of their best performances in living memory and were only denied an historic upset by a late All Blacks rally to close it out 53-37.
Previous meetings
The Anglo-Welsh rivalry is one of the oldest in rugby. The two sides have played each other a total of 110 times of which Wales have won 50, England 45 with 15 matches drawn.
Their most recent encounter resulted in a 43-9 England win in A World Cup warm-up game in Cardiff in August.
In and Out
England have made 10 changes to the starting side from their 111-13 defeat of Uruguay last Sunday. Prop Jason Leonard will play his 111th international, equalling the world record set by French centre Philippe Sella.
Key flanker Richard Hill is out of the England team, the hamstring injury which has kept him out since the first Pool C match against Georgia is not yet healed.
Jonny Wilkinson returns for his 50th cap after a one-match rest. Phil Vickery, who captained England for only the second time against Uruguay will partner Leonard and Steve Thompson takes over from Dorian West at hooker.
Martin Johnson is the captain and Ben Kay will join him in the second row. Flanker Neil Back has recovered from bruised ribs and will start.
Lewis Moody retains his position on the side of the scrum. Lawrence Dallaglio remains at number 8.
Five try hero Josh Lewsey has kept the full back jersey ahead of Jason Robinson who will play on the right wing and Ben Cohen has beaten Dan Luger for the left wing spot.
Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood are the centres, while Matt Dawson staved off the challenges of Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall for the scrum half spot.
For the Red Dragons, Dafydd Jones is the only change to the forward pack that started against the All Blacks, in for Alix Popham.
In the backline, Iestyn Harris returns to the centres for the injured Sonny Parker, Shane Williams moves from right to left wing, and Mark Jones is the new No. 14.
Gareth Thomas keeps his place at full back after coming on as a substitute for the injured Garan Evans against New Zealand.
Gareth Llewellyn and Martyn Williams are the new bench players.
Key players
England will rely on their tight five to give them plenty of go forward and control in the rucks, allowing Wilkinson room to move and weave his magic. The classy No. 10’s boot will also play a leading role in the outcome of the match.
Neil Back will be at the bottom of every ruck hoping to upset the Red Dragons continuity and pick up valuable turnovers.
Live wire wing Jason Robinson will be looking to use his electrifying pace to stamp his mark on the match.
For Wales inspirational skipper,Colin Charvis will be trying to rally his troops for another Herculean-like effort, this time against the number one team in the world.
Fly half Stephen Jones and the silky skills of Iestyn Harris will provide much of the spark in the Welsh back line.
What they said
Martin JOHNSON (ENG) -Captain
On whether there's any bigger match than England v Wales at a World Cup:
"Well one team's going to play a bigger game next week aren't they? Hopefully it's us. But right now? No."
On how dangerous Wales could be for England:
"We can lose the game, it's as simple as that. We know that. If we don't play well they're going to break our line and create try scoring opportunities, and if they play like they did last Sunday they'll take those (opportunities) and score tries."
"We can take nothing for granted. We're the same as every other team in this Tournament, we've all got to battle through a Quarter Final place and try to get to a Semi Final."
Mark JONES (WAL) - wing
On whether the pressure on the team is greater than leading into the pool match against New Zealand:
"It's knockout rugby now, so there is that pressure. Preparation-wise it's gone well... so we're looking forward now to putting it into practice on Sunday.
On the importance of capitalising on the good performance against New Zealand:
"It was a massive step forward for us as a team, I think nobody would deny us that.... but certainly (we're) not getting ahead of ourselves. It was only 80 minutes of Rugby and we've got a huge, huge challenge now come the Quarter Final and we're really focused on going out there and trying to do things well and hopefully the performance will look after the result for us."
Martyn WILLIAMS (WAL) - flanker
On where he thought England would try to beat Wales:
"It's difficult to say. They've a very physical pack that can compete with any pack in the world and there's gas in the backs that can compete with anyone as well. They've got threats from everywhere."
Match details
England play Wales in the RWC fourth quarter final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, 9 November, kick off 20:00.
Match officials
Referee: Alain Rolland
Touch Judges: David McHugh, Joel Jutge
Match Officials: Paul Honiss, Paddy O’Brien
TV Match Official: Andre Watson