Image source, Reuters

A magnificent offload from Owen Farrell, releasing Anthony Watson... decibels rise inside Twickenham... the winger caught but England retaining possession, punching holes... and a short, sharp shrill of Romain Poite's whistle signals a put-in at the scrum for England in a promising position. 

Justin Marshall
Former New Zealand scrum-half

"Australia are all over England at the breakdown, they need to chop them lower and get them on the ground."

Image source, Reuters

Australia menacing... Michael Hooper scoops it out of the backend of the scrum... Will Genia dictating play, patiently they recycle... Ben Foley with the diagonal high kick... Israel Folau rises high but knocks on. 

England were offside, though, which presents Bernard Foley with a routine penalty. There's hissing, whistling, a right carry on but the Aussie outside-half maintains his zen-like calm. 

Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner

"I cannot emphasise enough how good that tackle by Mike Brown was. If he comes in and misses that, it's try-time all day long."

Image source, Reuters

A peachy line-out for the visitors who spin it wide... tryline beckoning... the ball finds the dancing Israel Folau but - Bang! - Mike Brown with a bone-cruncher on the full-back, making amends for his earlier error. 

A certain former Bath and England prop not impressed by England's start...

Image source, Reuters

First cries of "Swing Low" echo around the grand arena as Will Genia prepares to put in at the scrum... a sturdy platform for the men in green and gold, a well-weighted diagonal kick by Ben Foley and Mike Brown, all sorts of options running through his mind, grazes the touchline and Australia have throw in 5m from England's line. Eek. 

Image source, AFP

Aussie open-side flanker Michael Hooper starts this match like something out of the opening sequence of a batman movie. Kerpow! And he's wrapped himself around outside-half Owen Farrell. But the Aussies knock on, presenting England with a put-in at the scrum. Wallabies penalised at the scrum and England have easy ball...

A toot of Romain Poite's whistle and the 26th match of this World Cup gets under way. Too much of a good thing is a wonderful thing.

Call off the match, there's no point going any further with this evening because the result of our vote is in. We asked would England beat Australia and 54% of you said yes. Optimistic? Loyal? Wise? We'll find out in 80 minutes. 

Image source, BBC Sport

Come in Australia. This is Big Brother. Please leave the Rugby World Cup.

Ashes check. Rugby World Cup, bear with us...

Spine-tingling stuff as God Save the Queen is sung passionately by a chorus of 80,000. 

But onto Australia's team news... they've made 14 changes to the team that beat Uruguay, naming the same XV that faced Fiji in their opening game of the tournament.

Bernard Foley returns at fly-half over Quade Cooper, with Michael Hooper alongside David Pocock in the back row and Matt Giteau at inside-centre.

Image source, BBC Sport

As the players line up for the anthems and 80,000 fans rise in unison, let's remind ourselves of the teams. 

There's no Sam Burgess in England's starting line-up because Jonathan Joseph has recovered from a pectoral injury and has been recalled. 

Number eight Ben Morgan and lock Joe Launchbury replace injured pair Billy Vunipola and Courtney Lawes, while scrum-half Ben Youngs is fit to start after going off in the second half of the defeat by Wales with an ankle injury. That's about it. 

Image source, BBC Sport

England head coach Stuart Lancaster: "We've got to start well - no doubt about it. But it is an 80-minute game and I think it will go right down to the wire. Our decision-making and accuracy needs to be there for the full 80.

"Walking into the stadium was unbelievable and that's why we're playing for everyone watching - both here and across the country. 

"Now it is over to the players - but they're ready."

Image source, Getty Images

The lights have been dimmed inside Twickenham and spotlights are in full beam... Chris Robshaw leading his men through the bowels of the stadium and into a wall of sound. Five minutes until this cracker gets under way. 

Will history be repeating itself at Twickenham tonight?