England vs Australia: decision on Stuart Lancaster's future postponed as England crash out of the World Cup

Reaction and analysis of the result of the crucial Pool A game between England and Australia at Twickenham, which England lost 13-33

18:35

Lancaster will be haunted by England's failure

Stuart Lancaster fears he will be forever bear the scars of having presided over England's worst World Cup performance.

It has taken only 16 days for a tournament launched amid high expectation to be reduced to rubble for the hosts by successive defeats by Wales and Australia, who between them amassed 61 points at Twickenham.

England will be absent from the knock-out phase for the first time and are the only host nation to have failed to advance from their group. A 33-13 rout by Australia - a record losing margin to the Wallabies at Twickenham - sealed their fate.

The Rugby Football Union will launch an inquest once the World Cup is over, mindful that the review should not divert attention away from an event that has otherwise been very well received.

Lancaster, his assistants and RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie now face uncertain futures. According to Lancaster, each of them will be tainted by English rugby's darkest hour.

"I'm the head coach and we didn't get out of the pool. This is going to sit with us all forever - players, coaches, management," Lancaster said.

"I don't think I'll ever come to terms with it personally because it was such a big thing.

"I've had some great moments coaching England and I've had some disappointing ones, but this pales everything else into insignificance because of what the tournament means to everyone.

"We lost two games, but they were crucial games and ultimately that let us down.

"It came down to the decision-making towards the end of the Wales game and some accuracy and execution at the end of the Australia game. That's what we'll be judged on and I understand that.

"I need some time, obviously Ian (Ritchie) needs some time and the RFU does as well. I think we'll make the right decision at the right time."

That's where this live reaction blog draws to a close for now. Thanks for joining us.

17:38

Mick Cleary rates the players - who should stay on board for Japan

17:02

Farrell's role under scrutiny

Andy Farrell (left) and Stuart Lancaster

16:19

Launchbury dislikes Man of the Match award

15:20

Australia gaining confidence

14:43

Cueto lays into Lancaster

Cueto in his England playing days

14:24

Lancaster - the Wales game cost us dear

14:03

Back has Robshaw in his sights now

Neil Back is on a roll now. His next target is Chris Robshaw. There has long been a debate about whether he is a natural openside flanker or not (no, not really is the answer) and Back - a man who knows quite a lot about playing in the England No.7 shirt - has had his say.

13:52

Henry: England have been playing the wrong style for years

Graham Henry delivers his verdict on England

13:37

Neil Back on Andy and Owen Farrell

Blimey, quite a comment from 2003 World Cup winner Neil Back here. Basically, he's saying that England players can't be honest about Owen Farrell because his father, Andy, is an assistant coach. It is a theme which has rumbled on for some time but rarely said this openly.

13:09

Mike Brown has his say

Now the current players are starting to see the light and discuss what went wrong. Mike Brown - England's 'Mr Angry' - has posted a heartfelt note on social media where he thanks pretty much everyone. Unfortunately for him, he also has to apologise - that is a theme of the day, seemingly.

13:01

Moody - RFU must retain Lancaster in one form or another

That view is not universal, though. Interestingly, a number of Sir Clive Woodward's World Cup winning side of 2003 are talking about how the RFU stuck with Sir Clive Woodward despite his side's elimination from the 1999 World Cup at the quarter-final stage, and Lewis Moody is one of those who thinks Lancaster should be retained by the RFU is he is to leave the top job.

"Absolutely he should, 100 per cent," he told Sportsweek when asked if the RFU should retain Lancaster.

"I remember a similar situation with Martin Johnson, with the experiences he had in the past and playing in three World Cups and obviously going through 2011. Martin was put in a similar position, as far as I'm aware, where the RFU wanted him to stay under the prerequisite that he had to get rid of his coaching staff.

"And Jonno being the person that he was wouldn't have other people fall on his sword, so he stepped down, which I think was a huge mistake for the RFU not to retain him."

12:45

Carling - heads must roll

11:55

Who could replace Lancaster?

11:33

Moments of the tournament

11:24

A global game

Something a little different now, as this rather cool interactive map shows just how much Twitter interaction there was during the game last night. Looking at it my immediate reaction was surprise at just how much interest there was in North America - and how the game simply hasn't caught on in Asia at all. Time differences may have a part to play in that, but it's an interesting tool.

11:17

Thoughts from around the world

A few thoughts from former players around the globe on last night's game, now. See if you tell which are English and which are Australian. It shouldn't be too difficult.

11:02

Greenwood: I'd support Lancaster if he wants to stay

10:52

Ashton: England were too slow

10:38

Is this English rugby's darkest day?

It's a valid question, and one that has been put to Ritchie. After all, no host nation has ever failed to qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup, so England have made history in a sense. It's just not the type of history they would have wanted. If it's not England's darkest day then what is? It's tough to think of anything that beats it, to be honest.

10:34

Ritchie: No regrets over six-year deals

A few more bits of info floating through, after the TV cut away from live coverage of the press conference. It appears Ritchie has said he has 'no regrets' over giving Lancaster and his coaching staff six-year deals. He was never going to say anything else, I suppose, but it's still a valid point this week.

10:27

Lancaster and Ritchie front up

10:23

Robshaw's future in the balance

10:20

Ritchie - policy on overseas-bsaed players will not change

In addition, Ritchie was asked once again about Steffon Armitage. That debate has come back into focus after David Pocock and Michael Hooper tore England apart on Saturday night but Ritchie is not for changing his policy on not selecting foreign-based players.

"It is the right policy for rugby in this country and we still think that is the case," said Ritchie.

10:18

Ritchie in summary - what happens next is not about Lancaster, but Uruguay

Ian Ritchie was also talking, and he reiterated that he will not make a decision over Lancaster's future until after the tournament is over.

"We have to look at what happens next - and what happens next is there is a game against Uruguay," said Ritchie. "We have to focus on that. We have a situation where we need for the fans to put our best step forward and complete the tournament in style.

"No doubt you all want to talk or ask questions about what happens next and it is very clear from our point of view - it is not a time for a knee-jerk reaction or rush into things. It is a time for calm, rational, considered reflection. We will do that in a calm, considered manner."

10:15

Lancaster in summary - not the time to talk about my future

Stuart Lancaster revealed in his press conference that he had spoken to his management team this morning - but not to talk about their futures but rather to discuss the game against Uruguay on Saturday. The England head coach knows there will be a huge debate over his position but is adamant this is not the time to discuss it - as RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said earlier. So Lancaster is happy to have that debate - but not until the World Cup is over.

"All things have been considered but not for now for me," said Lancaster. "It is a situation where I sat in front of the management team and said 'we have a game to play'. It is not the time for that."

10:12

Lancaster on defeat - LIVE

'We haven't been lucky in terms of injuries to get stability in midfield. It is fair to say in the back row that Pocock was outstanding. He would walk into any international team. When we got good field position, and inevitably he would slow the ball down or turn it over. You have to give him credit. He is an exceptional player.

'The occasion before the Fiji game was unbelievable. To come away with four tries shows we were prepared for it. Australia had 750 caps in their team and we had 450. This England team was going to have to go through evolution. I don't think it was the tournament, it was collective experience on the day.'

10:09

Lancaster on his team - LIVE

'From my point of view I was supported 100% by the RFU, 100%. You can;t control certain things. We made a decision on Dylan Hartley due to the citing. That was out of our control.

'I have watched the game again this morning. We have played some good rugby leading up to it. It was going to be a tough Pool. I thought there were two good teams playing yesterday at 20-13. We haven't become a bad team. There are good young players and the foundations are strong. But we weren't good enough to get out of this Pool.'

10:06

Ritchie on Steffon Armitage - LIVE

'It is the right policy for rugby in this country and we still think that is the case.'

10:06

Lancaster on selection - LIVE

'The decisions we make on selection are collective and are mine, and my responsibility. I thought Owen played well and played well in the first-half in this game. George Ford is a great player. There is not a division in the coaching team and anyhting that needs to be looked into in that regard.'

10:05

Stuart Lancaster press conference - LIVE

'We spoke about how gutted we are as a team and coaching team not to get the win that would have got us through to the quarter-final. Looking back over the games we had a great game against Fiji, the loss against Wales hurt and Australia deserved their win.

'All things have been considered but not for now for me. It is a situation where I sat in front of the management team and said 'we have a game to play'. It is not the time for that.'

10:03

Ian Ritchie is speaking about Lancaster's future - LIVE

'We have to look at what happens next - and what happens next is there is a game against Uruguay. We have to focus on that. We have a situation where we need for the fans to put our best step forward and complete the tournament in style.

'No doubt you all want to talk or ask questions about what happens next and it is very clear from our point of view - it is not a time for a knee-jerk reaction or rush into things. It is a time for calm, rational, considered reflection. We will do that in a calm, considered manner.

'Continuing to be hosts of a World Cup is very important and we will continue to deal with that, and look, learn and consider what to do next.'

10:01

What Ritchie said after the Six Nations

Then, to bring us pretty much up to date, this is what Ritchie had to say about it being 'unacceptable' that England had failed to win the Six Nations, although as Steve James points out here, it wasn't quite as simple as all that.

“I think you would," said Ritchier

I don’t think that is acceptable at all. If you go back through history, we should as a country have won more in terms of Grand Slams and championships. Four years as runner-up is not acceptable and we are – I am trying to find a diplomatic way of putting it – not happy with how that came about, and we had opportunities, we had chances. Let’s be entirely clear, it was in our control. I have no issue. I think Ireland deserved the win because of what they did over the five matches and we did not do enough over the five matches.”

09:57

What Ritchie said back in December

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but there was no question in Ian Ritchie's mind he had made the right decision in awarding Lancaster and his coaching staff six-year deals late last year. This is what he said then:

“There were no qualms about handing the coaches new contracts, none at all at the time or now,” said Ritchie. “My confidence in them, and in English rugby, has not been dented. Of course we want to win every game, but I believe we will be stronger next year, not weaker. The verdict on the series is not satisfactory. Is this a development phase, a learning phase? No, no, no, it isn’t. We want to play against the best and to judge ourselves.

“We played four and lost four against New Zealand. We want to do better than that. Of course we do. We have got to make sure that come the day – and that day is in September 2015 when the Rugby World Cup begins – we are absolutely in the right place. There is not a yawning chasm of difference.

“We are in a good place to deal with that. And we have absolute faith in our coaching team. I don’t believe in short-termism and I wanted to remove all distraction from their minds. These coaches are attractive to other countries and clubs and we also wanted to stop others nibbling at our people.”

9:53

Ten things Lancaster got wrong

So what did Lancaster get wrong? The short answer is quite a lot, but Gavin Mairs analyses exactly what went wrong here - and there are mentions for Sam Burgess, Danny Cipriani and Steffon Armitage.

9:45

In summary - the RFU calls for patience

09:40

Beaumont: 'Nobody will be hurting more than the players'

Bill Beaumont has also issued some comments in the same statement, and in short he is calling for the country to unite behind the team ahead of the final game against Uruguay next Sunday.

“While acknowledging the deep disappointment of all connected with rugby union in England and especially our incredibly supportive fans, results in any major sporting contest are unpredictable, no matter the effort or endeavour involved," said Beaumont.

“I am sure that our loyal England supporters will stay behind the team and their management as they head into the match with Uruguay.

"This is a group of young men who care deeply about representing their nation and their fans. Nobody will be hurting more than they are and, while they will expect an inevitable reaction, knowing that the rugby family is still there for them will really matter.”

9:37

Ritchie: 'There will be no hasty reaction' to World Cup exit

Ritchie has now had his say, and although it is not unequivocal backing for Lancaster the RFU chief executive is calling for calm and some perspective to be brought to proceedings. In short, a decision will not be made immediately - and it looks like it will not be done until after the World Cup.

“Both as RFU Chief Executive and as a lifetime supporter of the England team I speak for so many by saying how disappointed we are at the losses to Wales and Australia, where hopes were so high that we could achieve something special," Ritchie has said in a statement issued by the RFU.

"I would like to stress, however, that there will be no hasty reaction to England’s performance in this Rugby World Cup.

"Lessons will be learnt from the results and they will be found in a calm, clear, rational and thorough manner in the fullness of time post tournament.

"Developing professional teams capable of securing international success has always been, and continues to be, a key imperative in the RFU’s Strategic Plan. In the short term however the England team has a game to prepare for against Uruguay and everyone will give them their full support.

“Meanwhile, we will continue to deliver on the other essential elements of our strategy: delivering the most inspiring and successful Rugby World Cup ever; connecting with new and existing audiences and achieving a lasting legacy for the sport, while growing rugby in England.

“Rugby World Cup 2015 is attracting record numbers in stadia and Fanzones and through broadcast and social engagement. Record-breaking engagement halfway through the Pool stage saw approaching 1 million at matches, almost 400,000 enjoying the official Fanzones, and Festival of Rugby events around the country heading towards the one thousand mark.

“This is set to be the biggest world tournament to date, over a million people have so far seen games live, and I have no doubt that our investment of time and resources in creating a lasting legacy will see a step change in rugby enjoyment and participation across the country.”

9:32

Ritchie under pressure

9:12

McGeechan: Lancaster should stay

8:42

If at first you don't succeed...

8:20

Dry your eyes mate

A new day, another morning after...

Don't be glum. Worse things have happened. Haven't they?

Fear not, we will be with you for hours bringing you plenty of reasons why England's defeat is not all doom and gloom (as well as 7,546 reasons why it is). This live blog ain't going nowhere.

06:02

Shane Warne like many Australian cricket fans, is enjoying the result:

05:00

The uncomfortable questions from Australian Republicans keep coming:

04:30

Time for some bad jokes

03:30

New Zealand weighs in

Ouch. Even the Kiwis are having a go. The New Zealand Herald reports that New Zealand's 2011 World Cup-winning coach Sir Graham Henry has put England's loss down to trying to emulate the All Blacks, without the skill to do so.

02:45

David Campese has written in the Australian Financial Review on why, For Australians, it is always a great feeling beating "the Poms"

A sense of entitlement. That attitude of "We gave the world this or this sport - we are its true guardians". The English also have a tendency to gloat in victory. Maybe it is just the media. England have the most resources, the largest pool of players, the biggest fan base. They should win. Only mostly they don't. You build them up like there is no tomorrow. It is the same with football. All that money and hype.

02:00

The reaction by Prince Harry during the game has not gone down very well with Australia's Republicans.

01:30

Foley a one-man executioner

The Sydney Daily Telegraph's Iain Payten hails Bernard Foley as the man of the moment:

Foley’s personal points haul was the biggest ever between Australia and England, and it was the biggest winning margin by the Wallabies at Twickenham.

01:00

England were not good enough, not clever enough

The Telegraph's Paul Hayward laments that the pressure seemed to overwhelm England:

Mortifying. England out, three games into their own World Cup, 16 days into the tournament. The bond between team and fans – broken, for now. This event will glide on without Stuart Lancaster’s men but there is no disguising the ignominy of what happened here, and against Wales. England were not ready, not clever and not good enough

00:30

Lancaster will consider future as head coach

The Telegraph's Steve James reports that England head coach Stuart Lancaster has said he will consider his position after his side were sensationally knocked out of their own Rugby World Cup at the pool stage, the first host country to suffer that ignominy.

00:05

'Wallabies give England a nightmare that will last for years'

Sydney Morning Herald rugby columnist Paul Cully has hailed the Wallabies win:

A thousand glasses will be raised to the name of Bernard Foley after the Wallabies' superb 33-13 win against England on Saturday night, and the No.10 will deserve every one, for his first half was magnificent. But this was a victory constructed not from solo heroics but comprehensive superiority. And that is why Wallabies fans will have their chests puffed out this week. This was a win that didn't just have significance for pool A – the whole tournament would have sat up and taken notice.

23:40

Australians rejoice on Twitter

As expected, the jubilation is evident, even from the Prime Minister:

23:20

Hello from Sydney

Bonnie Malkin taking over from the London team. Good morning from sunny Sydney, where Australians have been up since before dawn to watch the match, and, well, it was worth the effort. I will be taking a look at Australian reaction the the win - expect a lot of gloating.

23:00

Signing off

Thanks for joining me tonight, I'm now signing off. But there's still a lot more reaction to come, so my colleague in Australia will be taking over very shortly to bring you all the latest from down under.

22:50

Lancaster's future?

It's probably no great surprise that with one more game in the group, albeit an utterly meaningless friendly with Uruguay, Lancaster would not fall on his sword tonight but it is very difficult indeed to see him weathering this storm. Even if he should want to...

22:48

22:46

22:36

22:32

The BIG question...

22:28

22:24

Robshaw reacts...

22:20

Case for the defence

22:14

Wonderful Wallabies

22:09

22:07

22:05

Fans react

20:00

Game well and truly over!

England simply had no answers to the questions the Aussies asked. They were unable to gain any supremacy up front, they were on the back foot in the battle of the back row and while the likes of Brown and Watson and Ford in the second half spluttered into life occasionally, it was all so slow and pedestrian.

21:55

Outplayed

21:54

Full-time stats

(Sorry, but we're obliged to.)

21:52

Full-time: England 13-33 Australia

The house of Lancaster has fallen.

That really was comprehensive. Australia were smarter and more clinical, they dominated the battle at the breakdown, they stunned England at the scrum and their 20 point winning margin did not flatter them one little bit.

21:50

79 mins - Try

21:49

79 mins

Brown snaffles possession and Watson comes racing out of the 22. England recycle but the Aussies have slowed it all down and steal possession.

21:48

78 mins

21:48

78 mins

Wallabies rub salt into the gaping wound by shunting England backwards at the scrum and it’s another penalty.

21:47

77 mins

Knock on by Kruis and this is painful and sad to watch. There’s nothing England can do now. They are crashing out of the World Cup.

21:46

76 mins

21:45

75 mins - Another penalty

21:43

74 mins

Penalty to Australia as Brookes is pinged for collapsing the scrum. Foley in no hurry to kick this one…

21:43

73 mins

Knock on by the Red Rose and a death by a thousand cuts looks like the outcome now. Wallabies soaking up whatever pressure the home side can exert. And that’s not much to be honest.

21:42

73 mins

Australia gather the restart and they’re going to kick everything into the England half now…

21:39

72 mins - Penalty

21:38

71 mins

21:37

71 mins

TMO called into play. Dangerous tackle on Giteau by Farrell? Doesn’t look good. Giteau didn’t have the ball. High as well…

21:36

70 mins

Irrelevant now though. Ball needs to go wide and England need to move up the pitch, which they fail to do as the try-scorer Watson steps into touch.

21:35

69 mins

Launchbury off, Kruis on. 11 minutes left…

Scrum time. Four new props on the pitch and England appear to have regained supremacy.

21:34

68 mins

21:32

67 mins

Foley collects Ford’s bomb and Australia counter attack. Kuridrani tries to muscle his way through but is hauled down and the Wallaby foray peters out as the tackle forces a knock on from Foley.

21:31

66 mins

Deep breaths now, 15 minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

21:29

65 mins

21:28

64 mins

Dangerous rolling maul from the Aussies in the England 22 has alarm bells ringing. Wallabies recycle and probe and the defence creaks but holds for now…

21:26

62 mins

21:25

61 mins

Australia kicking more and more now to pin England back and it’s a successful tactic as the Red Rose struggle to break the shackles.

21:24

60 mins

21:23

59 mins

21:22

58 mins

The fightback is on and the Red Rose have just over 20 minutes to save themselves. It’s enough time but they still need to be wary of keeping the Wallabies at arms length. Morgan off and old man Easter into the action.

21:19

56 mins - TRY!!!

21:18

55 mins

21:16

54 mins

And a fat lot of good he's doing, too.

Very, very messy scrum but Poite orders a reset even though the Aussies believe they’ve nicked it. Cole hauled off and Brookes on. Torrid night for England’s first choice props.

21:15

53 mins

Attacking scrum to England after Foley knocks on. Not, however, a deliberate knock on; the TMO rules.

21:13

52 mins

Watson slips as England create space out wide right. Ball recycled and it goes left but move breaks down. England getting closer but not yet close enough.

21:12

51 mins

21:11

50 mins

Marler spared further ignominy as he’s hauled off and replaced by Mako Vunipola. Youngs is replaced by Wigglesworth.

21:10

49 mins - Penalty!

21:09

48 mins

Neither is that. The Wallabies shunt England backwards and it’s a penalty to the visitors. Sorry to report but things looking bleak at HQ for the boys in white at the moment

21:08

47 mins

Free kick to the Aussies and they opt for the scrum! That’s not supposed to happen…

21:07

46 mins

Giteau chips and finds touch on the England 22. Not the right half of the pitch where Lancaster’s boys need to be playing…

21:05

44 mins

England storm into the 22 with a series of powerful drives but they then lose the ball at the breakdown and it’s a worrying pattern from a Red Rose perspective. Pocock the poacher in chief once again.

21:03

43 mins

A bomb from Ford eludes Folau but again the ball is scooped up by Australian hands. It’s been one of those nights so far. May off due to injury, Joseph moves across to left wing and Ford to outside centre.

21:02

42 mins

Early possession for the Aussies but England defence for now on halfway. Lineout to England but Tom Youngs’ throw goes AWOL and the Wallabies regain the ball.

21:01

41 mins

Teams out for the second half and, yes, Ford will join the action. May off…

Wallabies kick and the second half is underway.

20:59

Lancaster

20:58

Good effort, Bill

20:55

Ch-ch-changes?

Big question now, will Lancaster gamble early and throw on Ford and Burgess for the entire second 40? It would leave him vulnerable to injuries but the clock is ticking and England are heading out of the World Cup...

20:50

Half-time stats

20:47

Oh dear...

It's been that kind of night

20:46

Half-time: England 3-17 Australia

And there is the sanctuary of half time. Ominously England have never come back from a 14 point deficit in their Test match history.

20:45

39 mins

20:43

38 mins

More Wallaby pressure and it takes a big hit from Brown to stop Ashley-Cooper in his tracks in the 22. England badly need the sanctuary of the dressing room.

20:42

37 mins

Chris Robshaw of England reacts as Bernard Foley of Australia celebrates scoring their first try with Tevita Kuridrani of Australia during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium

20:39

35 mins - Australia score again

20:38

34 mins

Twickenham howls as Roman Poite awards Australia a penalty for England not pushing straight in the scrum. The set piece now not going according to the script.

20:37

33 mins

20:36

32 mins

Game on halfway, ball in Australian hands but just as Ashley-Cooper looks like he might steal away on the right touchline, it’s brought back for a forward pass. Relief for England.

20:35

31 mins

Charge down by Launchbury but Australia able to scramble back and touchdown for 22 drop out.

20:34

30 mins

Youngs darts, May on his shoulder, Launchbury muscles down the blindside and play up to the Aussie 22. Again, good early inroads but it breaks down again after a few phases.

20:33

29 mins

20:32

28 mins

Rolling Australian maul goes down and the Wallabies fail to get the ball on the deck. England scrum…

20:31

COME ON AUSTRALIA

20:30

26 mins

Australia win a penalty at scrum time. Guess what? Marler pinged for coming in at the angle. Too far out for a pop at the sticks so they kick for the lineout.

20:28

25 mins

Pocock however wins a trademark turnover and the danger is averted. England look dangerous with first and second forays at the defence but lacking real continuity once the initial attack is thwarted.

20:27

24 mins

Thrusts from Joseph and May take England into the 22…

20:25

22 mins

If England needed any reminding, that passage of play proved they must play this game in the Aussie half because given territory, the Wallabies look more than capable of scoring.

20:23

19 mins - it's try time!

20:21

17 mins

Attacking scrum to Australia which England make a real mess of but Australia eventually tidy up and drive through the forwards. England scramble back desperately…

20:20

16 mins

20:19

15 mins

20:18

14 mins

Wood powers forward again and England looking dangerous but Joseph knocks on under pressure and the Aussies clear.

20:17

13 mins

All square at HQ. England can breathe a little easier with points on the board. Great attack launched by Launchbury and continued by Wood and Red Rose back into enemy territory. Brown muscles his way to the 22.

20:16

12 mins - Penalty!

20:15

11 mins

'Good job lads hurrrrrrughurrr'

20:14

10 mins

But he can't carry on. Rob Horne goes off, Kurtley Beale on.

20:12

10 mins

Great break from Watson in midfield from Farrell’s deft, one-handed lay-off takes the Red Rose to the 22 and the crowd have something to cheer. England looked incisive there and they get an attacking scrum for their efforts…

20:11

8 mins

Kick-off, Australians catch and kick and England have a lineout on the 10 metre line.

20:10

7 mins - Penalty!

20:08

6 mins

Aussies secure scrappy ball but attack in the midfield. Cross kick from Foley is knocked on by Folau but they’re brought back because Farrell was offside…

20:07

5 mins

Scrum time, Wallaby feed in the 22…

20:06

4 mins

Big overlap to the Aussies, danger, danger, Folau in possession but Brown comes screaming out to him and although he knocks on, he snuffs out the attack. Crucial intervention there.

20:05

3 mins

Mistake from Brown who puts a toe into touch deep in his own 22 and it’s an attacking lineout to the visitors.

20:04

2 mins

Wayward kick from Youngs alleviates the pressure on the Wallabies but a whole two minutes in and England have looked bright.

20:03

2 mins

20:02

1 minute

Owen Farrell puts boot to ball and the game finally starts at HQ. Aussies gather cleanly in the 22 and England fly into the first tackle.

20:00

Royal watch

Prince William was banned from the stadium

19:59

God Save the Queen

'And you're sure this'll make me look like a hardman, lads?'

19:58

Stand to attention

Both teams on the pitch, lining up like obedient schoolboys, and anthem time is upon us…

19:56

Settle down, settle down

Twickers in darkness, save for a few artistically flourished search lights and England emerge from the tunnel alongside the Aussies…

19:51

Lancaster's early expectations

Lancaster emerges...

19:48

Australia retreat

Wallabies heading back to the dressing room to change into their famous yellow shirts. England hidden away in the bowels of Twickenham as we draw inexorably to the start of the game...

19:45

England expects!

19:43

Team news...

England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Barritt, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw (captain), Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, George Kruis, Nick Easter, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Sam Burgess

Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (captain), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.

19:42

19:36

Don't believe the hype!

England forward power versus Australian flair? A dominant Red Rose set piece against the brilliance of Folau? Skipper Robshaw batling the dual threat of Hooper and Pocock? There's been countless prematch predictions about what will setle tonight's clash at HQ but with just 25 minutes left until kick-off, it's all hot air now.

19:32

Reality bites

19:30

Red Rose support

19:27

19:23

19:22

Fine margins?

So where will it be won or lost tonight? There's been so such talk about the respective front fives this week and the battle at scrum time but that has all rather obscured the fact that unless England are calmer at crucial moments than they were last week all the piece ball in the world will still be irrelevant.

19:19

Twickenham on standby

The grand old stadium (well quite new actually) is beginning to fill up, a few of the players are on the pitch and around half of the crowd have taken their positions. The rest doubtless at the bar soothing the prematch nerves.

19:16

19:14

Try time!

The vast majority of the Twickenham will be hoping for something along these lines again this evening...

19:12

19:08

Scores on the doors

OK, permutation time! If England lose tonight, they are out of the World Cup! Finished. Over. Goodnight Vienna. If they beat the Wallabies and claim a bonus point victoy in their last group game against Uruguay, they will definitely progress to the quarter-finals. If they draw tonight, they'll need five points against Uruguay and pray Wales beat the Aussies. If they beat both Australia and Uruguay without a bonus point in either match, it could very well down to points difference.

19:04

19:01

19:00

One hour until kick-off!

Action stations folks! The clock is ticking, time waits for no man or woman and we are into the final hour before Twickenham witnesses agony or ecstasy for England. The Red Rose's fate hangs in the balance...