England ready for battle of the packs

Andy Robinson

England are expecting an uncompromising forward battle from an underrated Australian pack in their two-test series starting in Sydney on June 11.

The world champions overwhelmed the Wallabies' front row in their 26-16 victory at Twickenham in November, but coach Andy Robinson does not think there will be a repeat.

"We expect Australia to be highly competitive in that area," he said.

"We expected they were going to bulk up the pack and they've done that in their front row. The scrum is just one of the areas we will look to target."

Australia have a new coach in John Connolly, and Robinson believes his influence is already showing.

"Their side has all the hallmarks of a John Connolly forward pack, well coached and well drilled," he said.

"Whichever team gets quick ball will be able to put the other team under pressure."

Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery, the front row combination that destroyed Australia at Twickenham, were all left out of the England squad, but Robinson has brought veteran prop Graham Rowntree and recalled lock Ben Kay.

Kay, the only member of the squad who started the 2003 World Cup final against Australia, thinks the Wallabies scrum has received unfair criticism.

"The Australian pack is not as bad as everyone is making out," he said. "They may have had a tough time at Twickenham, but anyone can have a bad day. Whenever you run out to play Australia it is a huge challenge.

"The forwards is an area where you try to dominate every side you play, and we are expecting a very strong challenge."

- REUTERS