Nigel Melville rates the teams and who will win each battle

Josh Lewsey 8 v Mat Rogers 8

Rogers still bears the marks of their last meeting - an unsightly rib, damaged by Lewsey's tackle in Melbourne. Both are going well but have room to improve. Rogers has found his feet at full-back after moving from the wing. He is still a poor passer but has a very useful left foot. Lewsey's lines of running give England a new dynamic.

Jason Robinson 8 v Lote Tuqiri 8

Tuqiri has improved with every game. He always breaks the first tackle and has pace and strength. Keeps the ball well in contact which is unusual in a former league player. Robinson does not always get the opportunities at wing that he had at full-back but he's magnificent in broken play and can be lethal if they kick aimlessly to him.

Will Greenwood 7 v Elton Flatley 7

Greenwood is not the most dynamic runner but he's a good handler of the ball and very creative. Best of all he scores tries in big games. Flatley is still not totally at home in the centre and is a more natural fly-half. His defence will be under pressure and he could be found out by the likes of Mike Tindall. One of the best kickers in Super12.

Mike Tindall 6 v Stirling Mortlock 8

Tindall has blown hot and cold in this tournament. He is more direct than creative but he will do a job for England and carries the ball well. Mortlock was impressive against New Zealand when his interception try turned the game. After injury he was perhaps lucky to make the squad but along with Tuqiri has been Australia' s best ball carrier.

Ben Cohen 7 v Wendell Sailor 5

Cohen has not had much opportunity in this World Cup but he works tirelessly off the ball. He's strong and has great pace. Sailor has not impressed. He's not great in contact and has been poor in defence. He takes tries well when he's given the chance but he has not turned out to be the player he threatened when he moved from league.

Jonny Wilkinson 9 v Stephen Larkham 7

Larkham is a good ball carrier, a deceptive runner and can be very creative but he's possibly past his best. Players now know what he's about and he has no kicking game to speak of which can put him under pressure. Wilkinson has not played as well as he can but in terms of kicking he's the man who can win you the game.

Matt Dawson 6 v George Gregan 7

Dawson played his best game of the tournament in the semi-final but there are still question marks about his ability to get the ball away from the contact area. Australia will be looking out for the dummy and go. Gregan is a handful - a good, experienced captain. Very dangerous around the rucks and mauls, very competitive and a winner.

Trevor Woodman 7 v Al Baxter 5

Woodman is not a destructive scrummager but will cope with what Baxter has to offer. His strength is getting around the field and, given the opportunity, he's an excellent ball carrier. Baxter has been brought in late, is not a great threat and there is nothing much on the bench behind him. This could be Australia's real weakness.

Steve Thompson 7 v Brendan Cannon 7

The two outstanding hookers in the tournament. There is a question about both of them in the lineout but Thompson has the ability to go up a few levels and has been worth a nine or 10 in previous internationals. Both are great ball carriers but expect the Australians to bring on Jeremy Paul sooner rather than later.

Phil Vickery 8 v Bill Young 8

Vickery is a really good scrummager who played out of his skin against the French. He got a punch on the nose in that semi and it really wound him up. Young also had his best game in the semi. The whole of the Australian front row did and they will miss Ben Darwin especially if the Raging Bull gets another dap on the nose.

Ben Kay 7 v Justin Harrison 7

Harrison is a bit hit and miss but he does have the ability to steal ball in the lineout as the Lions found out in 2001. He's not the plank Austin Healey would have us believe. Kay has been quiet so far but he is more suited to the hard graft and perhaps we don't get to see all that he's up to. He runs the middle of the lineout which will be crucial.

Martin Johnson 9 v Nathan Sharpe 7

Johnson has done what is required and has a real presence on the field. He's a big match winner. Sharpe has gone well and grown as Australia progressed and is probably their most consistent lineout forward. Australia have not got many lineout options at the back so Sharpe has to be a major source of ball for them.

Neil Back 7 v George Smith 7

Back must raise himself for one last big game. You can't fault his work-rate and he's been pretty destructive. Against him he's got a younger guy who wins a lot of ball on the ground. Seven is a young man's game: you take a load of stick and Back has been doing that for a long time. It will be a case of the old warrior against the young upstart.

Richard Hill 8 v Phil Waugh 7

Waugh is another No7 who plays at No6. He's not a big guy and is quick to the ball on the ground. The England pack is a different beast with Hill playing. He was not fully fit last week but he made all the difference. Today he should go better and his work will allow other people to play. He's always in there and has a great rugby brain.

Lawrence Dallaglio 8 v David Lyons 8

Lyons is the younger man and so far has been more effective at carrying the ball. But Dallaglio is a big-game player. He needs these sort of games, it's what he is all about. I have no doubt that today he will step up another gear. Lyons is Australia's only ball carrier in the back row so he will get smashed around early on.

Totals: England 112/150 Australia 106/150