Aussie double injury blow boosts new-look England

Paul Sackey, the London Wasps wing who scored two tries against the Islands, said: "Australia are an awesome side. They've got talented players throughout and it will still have hurt them losing to us in the 2003 final. They will be looking for revenge big time."

England's backs, with Danny Cipriani bagging 19 points, will only get better with more time together, so Johnson's focus this week will be on the pack, which did not impose their collective will on the Islanders. He said: "We looked apprehensive in the first half and slowed down ball. For the first 20 minutes we were pretty muted. We have to be better against Australia but getting a game under our belts will help. It was a good start."

The next three games - against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand - will determine where England finish in the rankings by the start of December when the pools for the 2011 World Cup will be drawn. The top four teams will head the groups but England are fifth at the moment.

To help that bid, Johnson could makes a significant changes in all three rows of the scrum to give England the harder edge needed against the Wallabies.

Andrew Sheridan has destroyed the Wallaby scrum on a regular basis but he had problems binding on to 20st Census Johnston on Saturday.

The inclusion of Phil Vickery would also improve England's ability to clear bodies away at the break down.

The selection of Simon Shaw, all 6ft 9in and 19st of him, in the second row would add greater ballast and impact compared to Nick Kennedy, of London Irish. Kennedy made a try-scoring debut but England need Shaw.

James Haskell could also come in for Tom Croft, whose skills are better suited to a looser game. Haskell, like Shaw, has the priceless ability to get the other side of the gain line and then off-load to support runners and England must get the balance right between taking the ball down the short side and spreading it wide to their back three.

Without the introduction of this trio, England would limit their attacking options and reduce the damage they could inflict on the Wallabies. Matt Stevens, Kennedy and Croft should still be involved on the bench to increase England's mobility if the game opens up and a handy lead has been created.