England v AustraliaEverywhere Australia look at Twickenham today there will be bulldozers of one kind or another, most of them in the England frontrow. If the wind howling through the yawning gap caused by the redevelopment of the stadium's south end did not unnerve younger Wallabies yesterday, they will feel even more exposed when Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery get an early nudge on.

That, at least, is how England hope this afternoon's colossal Cook Cup encounter will unfold as they prepare to wheel on the biggest frontrow ever to fill out an England jersey. Coincidentally the home side will be sporting a new-look, slightly roomier shirt today; the old tight Lycra version might not have taken the strain.

In his most important Test since becoming England head coach, however, Andy Robinson is not remotely concerned with style. After four defeats in eight Tests he craves only substance, preferably large dollops of it. Forget any fanciful talk of fresh, free-flowing rugby. Robinson has picked a team who, primarily, will be preoccupied with winning the physical battle.

"Pressuring the Australians at the set-piece is going to be key for us," acknowledged Robinson yesterday, aware the Wallabies' backline threat will be no use if they are being shoved backwards into the nearby building site. "We've got to look to dominate their front five. It's not just about the first scrum, it's about the ninth, 10th and 12th scrums. We've got to keep hammering at them."

Cue his yeoman tighthead Vickery who, along with the French referee Joel Jutge, will be one of today's pivotal figures. Despite England's weight advantage he recognises the need for him and Sheridan to demonstrate superior technique as well as strength against their counterparts Matt Dunning and Al Baxter, the fallible pillars who shoulder the responsibility of keeping the Wallabies in contention long enough to force England into plan B.

On the flip side, the big Cornishman is wary of being surprised by the boomerang effect which will be manifested by any Australian side under pressure, let alone one trying to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat.

"If you start writing people off it's fuel for the fire," said Vickery, one of seven survivors from the World Cup-winning side. "They're a proud bunch and you can't underestimate them. George Smith and Phil Waugh are always a big nuisance. Waugh's like a rock, he's just relentless."

The last five England v Australia Tests at Twickenham, moreover, have produced an average winning margin for either side of less than three points, with the Wallabies sneaking home 21-19 in last year's meeting.

If the Wallabies are to halt their worst run since the 1960s it will be through speed of thought and deed. Points scored in the first 20 minutes will be crucial, particularly if they can win the toss and play with the elements at their back.

Should the home side detect a lack of confidence, Eddie Jones may live to regret his midweek jibe about Robinson's "predictable" team selection. "I hope we can be predictable because it means we've kept the ball and we're attacking them," retorted Robinson.

It will be a peculiar atmosphere but England cannot afford to be distracted.