2007 so far

The four-year grand plan for defending the World Cup has become a nine-month damage limitation exercise since Brian Ashton replaced Andy Robinson as head coach in December 2006. Under Ashton, there have been brief hints at recovery - victory over France in the Six Nations and a hammering of Wales last month - quickly washed away by harsh bursts of reality, notably the humbling summer tour to South Africa. Back-to-back defeats by France in the final two warm-up matches, the latter continuing a dismal away record, failed to give the champions vital momentum heading into the six-week tournament. Two wins from their past seven internationals confirms their status as outsiders to retain their crown.

Players to watch

Jonny Wilkinson Still a key man, despite the extraordinary run of injuries that has blighted him since his famous dropped goal. Understandably, he has yet to rediscover his 2003 form, but with the forwards as England’s primary weapon, his goal-kicking will again be crucial.

Tom Rees Much is expected of the dynamic open-side flanker from London Wasps, despite his lack of international experience. Now inked in as the natural long-term successor to Neil Back after outstanding displays in Wasps’ Heineken Cup success.

Phil Vickery England seem increasingly likely to take teams on up front, which means that they need Vickery fit and firing after several injury scares already this year. In the scrum and in the loose, the captain must give the pack the edge that Martin Johnson provided in 2003.

Squad

Olly Barkley (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Bath), Mike Catt (London Irish), George Chuter (Leicester), Martin Corry (Leicester), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Lawrence Dallaglio (London Wasps), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Andy Farrell (Saracens), Perry Freshwater (Perpignan), Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Ben Kay (Leicester), Josh Lewsey (London Wasps), Lee Mears (Bath), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons), Shaun Perry (Bristol), Tom Rees (London Wasps), Mark Regan (Bristol), Peter Richards (Gloucester), Jason Robinson (unattached), Paul Sackey (London Wasps), Simon Shaw (London Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks), Matt Stevens (Bath), Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Phil Vickery (London Wasps, capt), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons), Joe Worsley (London Wasps)

WC record

1987: Outplayed by Wales in Brisbane quarter-final 1991: Tactically outmanoeuvred by Australia in final 1995: Crushed beneath Lomu’s thundering hooves in semi-finals 1999: Unseated by De Beer’s dropped goals in quarter-finals 2003: That immortal swing of Wilkinson’s boot clinches the trophy

Odds

28-1