Quick hands from England as they look to find some space down the right. Aussie back rower Greg Bird gives away the first penalty of the match - setting up decent field position for England.

Australia scrum-half Cooper Cronk hoofs a high bomb into the Melbourne sky as the home side complete another set. Both teams going through the full six. England full-back Sam Tomkins looks over to winger Ryan Hall and leaves it to him to comfortably gather.

David John:, external Come on England!!!

Image source, #RLbreakfast

Brian Noble
Former Great Britain coach on BBC Two

"Round One to England there. They look confident and they look strong going forward in the arm wrestle."

Ian Millward
Former Super League and Australian NRL coach on BBC Two

"The forward battle is important but Daryl Clark off the bench, Australia will be right on top of that."

Decent start from England. They complete their opening set and then pin back the Aussies with a big kick from Matty Smith.

Josh bowen:, external #wallofwhite in Abu Dhabi waiting for the game. COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

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Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

"I don't think having an Australian ref will be a problem. It will come down purely and simply to two of the best of the best teams in the world."

Australian referee Gerard Sutton (yes, he's Australian and not a neutral) toots his whistle and we get under way. The officials are decked out in an early 20th Century all-white number. Splendid attire.

Anthem time. The England boys look confident as they belt out 'God Save The Queen'. Australia stretch their vocal chords too - although I reckon there is a few nervous expressions in their team. Wishful thinking perhaps?

Image source, Getty Images

Right, here we go. England, wearing that Wiganesque red and white hooped number, stroll out first. Here are the Aussies, decked out in an equally unfamiliar maroon and sky blue. Plenty of colour to wake us up.

sean bretherton:, external Up and waiting for England to get stuck in : )

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In true rugby league fashion, we appear to be running a few minutes late. The England boys are pacing around the dressing room as they wait for the nod. Plenty of focused faces as prop James Graham gees up his team-mates with some words of encouragement.

London Broncos full-back Richard Mathers:, external Couple of changes to @England_RL starting team, tune in live from 4.55am on @BBC5LSX with @georgeyboy & myself for full match commentary

Former Australia international Brad Fittler: "From a coaching point of view, the Australians would be nervous. It was 12-12 at half-time against New Zealand last week but the way we handled the second half was quite poor and they over-powered us through the middle. And England have got a big pack. If England win the Australian public would be extremely disappointed but I handed out the jerseys to the team and they are ready."

So we're only moments away from kick-off folks. You've got time for one last cuppa before it's show-time. Go!

Image source, Getty Images

So can England beat the Aussies and reach the Four Nations final? The man who was the brains behind Great Britain's famous 1992 triumph reckons so.

"Australia are not as dominating as they have been in previous tournaments and England have a quality side who have the best opportunity in recent years to make it to the final," says ex-GB boss Malcolm Reilly, who also coached Castleford, Leeds and Newcastle Knights.

"It will be a big challenge but I believe they have what it takes to do the preparation and get it together for the weekend, if they go into the game with a positive attitude, they can beat Australia."

A very tired Mal in Hull, Yorkshire: Good Morning. Got my alarm clock to wake me up for this morning's game. Thought it was Monday morning, nearly got up and ready for work but realized when I saw you lot on the BBC that I can stay in bed and have a rugby match to watch. Nice one. Thanks.

England coach Steve McNamara: "It feels a big day, without a doubt. Playing Australia is always a tough task but we are really looking forward to it, the lads are relaxed and ready to play. Sean O'Loughlin has trained extremely well the last two days and we are looking forward to getting him out there. Dan Sarginson has been in great form towards the end of the season. He carries the ball a lot and we want to go for Australia today. We want to go for it. We have some big blokes who can charge through the middle and skill on the edges."

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC Two

"Gareth Widdop and Matty Smith are crucial for England - everything in attack will come through them. They are two stand-out players with outstanding reputations. We have lacked consistency in the half-back positions for a number of years. What has impressed me the most about Smith is how he has developed as a leader."