Martin Johnson talks tough for World Cup opener

Martin Johnson insists England's players will be "battle hardened" by the time they begin their World Cup campaign.

England have one more warm-up game, against Ireland in Dublin next Saturday, before facing Argentina in Dunedin on September 10.

Injuries to Lewis Moody, Andrew Sheridan, Ben Youngs and Chris Ashton mean several players have had little or no rugby in the two friendlies against Wales.

But despite his squad's far from perfect build-up, which included a 19-9 defeat in Cardiff last weekend, the team manager remains confident his squad will be in peak condition when they kick off in New Zealand.

"We've chosen to play against a tough team two weeks before the tournament," said Johnson. "Wales play their last game next week and then have a three-week break before they play again. We want to go into the Argentina game as battle hardened as we can be.

"Right now when we get it right we can be a very, very competitive Test side and give anyone a game."