Northampton centre Luther Burrell missed out on England's World Cup squad but he's right behind them tonight. Although getting more nervous as kick-off nears it seems.

Australia have been under England's thumb in their most recent World Cup meetings with the men wearing the Red Rose on their chest winning on the last three encounters. 

There was a quarter-final win in 1995, and that 2003 victory Down Under, which was a rather muzzled celebration, and then came the two-point 2007 win in the quarter-finals.

Image source, BBC Sport

England football manager Roy Hodgson is at Twickenham. Now there's a man who knows a thing or two about guiding England to the latter stages of World Cups. Oh. Hang on...

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These old rivals have been jostling with an oval ball since 1909 and have been evenly matched, especially since the sport turned professional in 1995. Twelve wins to England, twelve wins to Australia and one draw. 

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We couldn't possibly comment, Jonathan...

What has Will Carling got to say for himself this week? He was described as out of touch by England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth for his criticisms of the team after the Wales defeat. 

This week? The former England captain sees light, dancing through meadows, a world full of bonhomie... That sort of thing.

"We find out today about the England team and how they will operate under this white hot pressure. I have a sneaky feeling that we will all be impressed and the English will still be smiling tonight," he says. , external

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What the price of an England defeat? Elimination at this premature stage would knock billions off the UK stock market, according to a professor of business at London Business School.  , external

"A rugby loss leads to a next-day decline of 0.15 per cent, which is roughly £3bn when applied to the UK stock market," he said. 

The sales of chariots would take a hit, I guess.

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Unfortunately for those following the Red Roses, England haven't got qualification wrapped up yet. 

One man who won't have any St George's flags in his living room, or blow-up wallabies for that matter is Wales coach Warren Gatland who says he will be torn watching tonight's match. 

If England lose, Wales' are through to the last eight but Galtand says: "If we were being selfish about our own destiny Australia can do us a big favour.

"But it's a bit hard for a Kiwi to be cheering Aussies, so I think I'll be quite neutral for this weekend." 

Is that really the truth, Mr Gatland?

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How many flags are too many? There's no such thing, according to Mac. 

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Australia coach Michael Cheika: "We need to be calm but also have a bit of edge. Every centimetre will be competed for, every ball will be competed for with energy and physicality. 

"The variables are so many, it depends how the two sides play as to what areas can be exploited. We just want to play our game. 

"We have worked hard in some areas where we have suffered against England in the past, sharpened our attack and worked on things that you can't see on the camera. It is a good balance of all things and we just have to make sure we fulfill our potential."

Big Rich: England v Aus...it's a thinking game. Think of your part, think of moments, think of your family. Be proud! Now lose for us! Wales  

Wingnut: Pre-game chat for England in a nut shell -THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED FOR YOU ARE ENGLAND'S BEST .. DO US PROUD !!!

England dominated in the scrum when these sides last met 11 months ago, but what's all the fuss about? There's an interactive guide on this very website to help us understand one of the most baffling parts of the game - and line-outs, rucks and tackles - which will be key in this evening's crunch match. 

Image source, BBC Sport

The mind games began early this week when Australia's 1991 World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer accused England of scrummaging illegally, saying loose-head Joe Marler went in at an angle. 

"Neither of them scrummage square. Both of them angle in," Dwyer, speaking about Marler and Mako Vunipola, told the Daily Telegraph., external

Are Dwyer's words enough to sow seeds of doubt in Marler's mind, and that of tonight's referee Romain Poite? 

Not so, says England's forwards coach Graham Rowntree who said he's since had a "very positive conversation" with Joel Jutge, World Rugby's high performance match official manager. We shall wait and see...

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England will be hoping to iron out the creases, too...

Who is David Pocock? Firstly, good question, mainly because I was about to talk some more about him. 

The Australian captain has been described as the World Cup's most interesting man - an environmental activist, gay rights campaigner, charity advocate and charismatic leader. 

As our chief sports writer Tom Fordyce says: "This is a man who not only does things on the pitch that other players cannot. He does things off it that most seldom consider."

To read more of Tom's brilliant profile on the man who bucks the trend in every aspect of his life click here. 

Image source, BBC Sport

Much of the build-up to this match has focused on Australia's two jackals - David Pocock and Michael Hooper. The duo will be starting just their third Test together but they're so admired these days that they're an axis simply referred to as Pooper. Or something like that. 

In his latest column, Jeremy Guscott says: "Australia effectively play with two open-side flankers with Michael Hooper and David Pocock in their back row. They will exploit any opportunity to steal ball and, at worst, will slow down England's recycling and force them to commit extra men to rucks.

"England have to nullify the breakdown and take it out of the equation as a possible match-winning factor."

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If Sir Clive Woodward stoked the flames, Sale outside-half Danny Cipriani has added lighter fuel to the blaze. 

"There’s not one Australian that would get into the England team right now," said the Englishman in hisPaddy Power column. , external

We're unable to confirm what universe Cipriani was inhabiting when he uttered such words. Israel Folau? Michael Hooper? David Pocock? Matt Giteau? None of them, Danny? 

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Webster: Don't panic. Stay calm. Think. Do the basics really well. Treat the game like a quarter final, not end of RWC dream  

David n weighell: Don't panic, prove everbody wrong and enjoy the moment, this is why you play at the top level

Craig David Donovan: Alright lads, no pressure, but if we lose, we'll never live it down. So let's get out there, kick some Aussie ass & win!