Can England cheat history?

By Sarah Holt

Woodward is in dreamland now but the Aussies could be his worst nightmare

The final of the Rugby World Cup has all the ingredients of a classic encounter as defending champions Australia take on bitter rivals England.

England coach Clive Woodward described it as his "dream" final - but is that just bravado?

While the England camp might relish the prospect of beating the Aussies in their own back yard sporting history warns Woodward's fantasy could turn out to be a recurring nightmare.

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Must try harder

Look back 12 years and you might be hit by a hint of deja vu.

Australia were faced in the Rugby World Cup final by a determined group of Englishmen, who when they were not pulling on their England rugby shirts were businessmen, builders and policemen.

The class of 1991 played their rugby in the same vein as Woodward's men - with grinding efficiency.

England captain Carling waves bye-bye to the World Cup in 1991

But with grey clouds and the weight of expectation hanging above Twickenham, England dropped their customary tactics in favour of flair and were undone by a single try from Tony Daly.

The Wallabies will be boosted by the fact that they have already snatched the Webb Ellis Trophy from under England's noses - but they also have scores to settle.

England were the last team to defeat Australia in a World Cup match, knocking the Wallabies out of the 1995 quarter-finals thanks to a last-gasp drop goal from Rob Andrew in extra-time.

And you can bet the Aussies will still be licking the wound inflicted by England just five months ago.

England struck a blow to Australian pride in June by carving up the Wallabies 25-14 in Melbourne to seal their first-ever win down under and their fourth on the bounce.

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A league apart

Switch codes and you come face-to-face with a bit of a David and Goliath situation.

Rugby league is more popular than union in Australia, especially at club level.

Kangaroos captain Lockyer laughs in the face of Great Britain

The average gate for a domestic game is 15,000 - in England you can half that.

Bringing on board the rest of the home nations and turning out for the Ashes series as Great Britain has not dented Australian dominance.

The head-to-head record may be 19-18 in Australia's favour but the figures are deceptive.

The Kangaroos have taken every Test series from the Lions for the last 33 years and Great Britain have not won on home soil since 1959.

This year a strong Lions side was tipped to end the downward spiral as an injury-hit Australian squad landed on British shores.

Australia went on to seal the series inside the first two matches.

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Salt in the wound

Whenever England were being embarrassed by Australia in the sporting arena there was always one sport fans could take comfort in - football.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's team are ranked sixth in the world while the Socceroos limp behind in 62nd spot.

Feature: Why does everyone hate the English?

But status counted for nothing on 13 February this year when Australia took the last shred of dignity from England fans by humbling David Beckham et al 3-1 at Upton Park.

Inspired by striker Harry Kewell, Australia delivered the ominous message that they can not only compete with England on the football pitch - they can beat them as well.

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Ashes to Ashes

No two words inspire so much pride and passion in Australians as the Ashes.

Unfortunately for England their hopes of regaining ownership of the small urn full of cinders (it actually resides at Lord's all the time) usually go up in smoke.

Australia's peerless batsmen and bowlers have routed England for eight straight Ashes series - England must look back to 1987 for their last win.

Botham knew what it took to beat Australia - can he be the inspiration?

Aussie skipper Steve Waugh summed up Australian sentiment after savouring victory in the 2002-03 Ashes series on home soil, concluding the visitors had lost the series before a single ball had been pelted down the pitch.

Things are not any easier for England in the one-day game.

The rivals met in the final of the 1987 World Cup and England were cruising towards a famous victory.

That was until captain Mike Gatting got himself out with a rash reverse-sweep and England's challenge crumbled.

There is one exception in England's recent Ashes history who can inspire Woodward's men - Ian Botham.

The all-rounder's gutsy performance with the bat and ball turned round the 1981 series, consigning Australia to a 3-1 defeat.

"My brother sent me a text saying remember Botham '81," revealed England centre Will Greenwood.

"As players we'd love to have Sydney 2003 etched into the history books."