Image source, Rex Features

If this match wasn't juicy enough already, there is the added shot of Australian coach v Australian coach.

In fact, it was Wayne Bennett who scouted Mal Meninga more than 40 years ago, external in Brisbane and the pair went on to a Premiership together in 1985. They also won five State of Origin series.

But the relationship has taken a turn for the worse in recent years after both men applied for the Kangaroos job last December, which Meninga succeeded in getting.

“When Wayne says he doesn’t want my job, or that we are friends who will embrace after a game, it is just not true," Meninga wrote in a column., external

“I know there is a perception that he and I are friends. We’re not enemies, but we’re not friends either.

“There’s no bad blood — there’s just no blood at all. There is no relationship there. We don’t talk.”

Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport at London Stadium

Last November England lost to New Zealand at this very ground on a day when the rain was so brutally heavy it made a mockery of the RFL's attempts to grow the game by laying on loads of pre-match entertainment.

Still, more than 40,000 turned up, with 65% from London and the south east, something the RFL thought was extremely encouraging as they try to expand their fanbase.

Today it is mild and sunny, excellent conditions for the fans.

But it will be interesting to see how many turn up today. I've heard estimates from 20,000 up to 35,000. I think the RFL would be quite happy - make that delighted - with the latter.   

As Australia came out to warm-up at 13:30 GMT there were very few inside the stadium.

Jon Wilkin
Former England international

The interesting part for me is the England half-back situation, how that pans out. Australia look settled, look confident, they've got loads of experience and they're going to execute here no doubt.

After last weekend's round of results, we were working out how many points England would need to beat Australia by, as New Zealand would surely thump Scotland.

It didn't quite turn out that way.

Steve McCormack's Bravehearts put in a sensational display at a wet and windy Workington on Friday to claim a last-gasp point.

Skipper Danny Brough was the hero, converting Euan Aitken's try in the final minute to earn a well-deserved draw.

Watch the action below.

Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach

England have to win. The intensity that they're going to have to play, it's all for England to do. Australia are fairly relaxed, they love beating England. I hope it's going to be as intense as we want it to be.

Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport at London Stadium

Another game, another half-back pairing for England, Kevin Brown the surprise selection today alongside the recalled Gareth Widdop. 

Luke Gale is the man to drop out as 32-year-old Brown makes his first appearance of the Four Nations. It will be his fifth cap and his first against Australia.

Wigan stand-off George Williams, who was man of the match against Scotland, is on the interchange bench. There is only one specialist hooker, with Daryl Clark also dropping out of the 19.

Australia? They are at full strength, with Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk starting together in the halves for the first time in this tournament.

Tune in now to the BBC Red Button for a rugby league forum live from the London Stadium.

Presenter Mark Chapman is joined by Brian Noble, Jon Wilkin and New Zealand assistant coach Justin Morgan.

No complicated permutations to get our heads round, it's quite simple.

• Australia are already through to the final at Anfield next Sunday.
• England will join them if they win or draw today.
• If England lose, New Zealand will go through.

Image source, .

Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport at London Stadium

Nobody in the current England team has tasted victory against Australia.

The Kangaroos, on the other hand, are packed full of World Cup winners and players who are State of Origin veterans.

Coming out of Stratford underground earlier I heard two Australia fans discussing the margin of victory in some depth. That their team would win was, of course, a given.

I asked one England fan what he thought of his team's prospects: "Ask me afterwards," he replied.

This is the task coach Wayne Bennett has on his hands today.

Meanwhile, Great Britain's last victory over Australia was 10 years ago in Sydney. A 23-12 win which was rather tasty.

Who can ever forget big Willie Mason sparking out Stuart Fielden with a right hook.