When push comes to shove the scrum is not the only decisive issue between England and Australia at rugby union. Yet before every Test against the Wallabies it is the main topic of debate and it was the same again yesterday after Phil Vickery's recall to his country's front row.
All involved in Saturday's Test are aware that the Wallabies suffered more than their fair share of strife at both the last two World Cups and in the corresponding fixture in 2005, particularly when Andrew Sheridan and Vickery have been chosen to apply the squeeze. If anything, the much-maligned Al Baxter deserves credit for his perseverance after more than 60 punishing Tests. But times move on and simply unveiling the 32-year-old Vickery in place of Matt Stevens as one of two changes to the English pack does not mean their old rivals are bound to crumble physically and psychologically.
That, at least, is the stern warning from England's scrummaging coach, Graham Rowntree, a veteran of countless engagements for Leicester and the national team. "We haven't been shoving people around for our last handful of games," cautioned Rowntree, anxious lest England get too blasé about their forward springboard. "Last weekend we did not get the dominance I would have hoped, albeit in difficult conditions. It's not about reputations. Every time I've been in a game at Twickenham where we've been expected to dominate in that area we haven't delivered. I'm not getting pushed into that trap again.
"Their pack's changed and our pack's changed. They have also improved significantly, none more so than their hooker Stephen Moore who is a hell of a player. He's abrasive in the tight and the loose. We've got to stop harping back to that game [in 2005]. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. We have not been dominating teams of late, so how will we automatically have the upper hand this weekend? I just think they've improved a lot since the last time we played."
As a consequence even the 19-stone Sheridan, who has shredded a succession of Wallaby tight-heads over the past three years, is being told to crank up the power. "For me he wasn't intimidating enough last week but we weren't dominant as a unit. Let's not blame Sheri for everything," said Rowntree. His former colleague Vickery, back to win his 66th cap as the only starting survivor from the 2003 World Cup final win in Sydney, also says memories of the 2007 quarter-final win in Marseille should be put to one side. "If anything it's a disadvantage. If anyone thinks 2007 will be a help, they're going to be in a lot of trouble. I would ask you to go away and watch Australia's last games, not what happened a year ago or five years ago. Look what's happened in the last 12 months and you'll be quite surprised."
It is one of the reasons why the team manager, Martin Johnson, has moved to strengthen his starting pack further with another Wasp forward, Tom Palmer, chosen at lock instead of Nick Kennedy who drops out of the 22 entirely after his try-scoring debut against the Pacific Islanders. Johnson views Palmer as "a good all-round lock" and he should know. As for Vickery, it is a reward for perseverance having lost the England captaincy to Steve Borthwick. "When he's fit and in form, Phil is a world-class tight-head and he's not that old," explained Johnson. "I wasn't surprised to see him respond positively to losing the captaincy because he's a top-quality man. He's still enthusiastic to play the game and he's in as good shape as I've seen him for a while."
Vickery, modest as ever, reckoned Johnson's eyes must have been deceiving him. His return, however, is proof that three back operations have affected neither his lust for life nor his sense of patriotic pride. "When you haven't got [the jersey] it makes you hungry. I love playing rugby and playing for my country. The day that candle burns out I'll let you know. You have to have passion for what you do. I'm genuinely excited. I don't think there's any bigger Test match than England v Australia. I grew up watching Australia as a kid and they were always the best." He also believes a healthy rivalry with Stevens will benefit the whole squad. "For us to climb back up the world rankings and succeed you have to have guys vying for places. We both realise we have to share the workload and get the best out of each other."
That point was endorsed by Johnson. "We have two quality tight-head props. Phil is fresh and in form and we are picking a team to beat Australia on Saturday," he said. "Matt is a huge impact player. Phil is our most experienced forward. He brings a lot of leadership, which will be important."
