Australia recall Giteau

Woodward said the Wallabies would never have a better chance of beating his side, blaming injuries, retirements and a long season for their poor form.

But Jones said: "No-one was complaining in June last year when they came out and beat New Zealand and Australia.

"There wasn't any signs of tiredness then. Why are they tired now?"

England have lost to New Zealand twice and also been beaten by France and Ireland in 2004.

And Jones added: "When you've won three of seven Tests this year you want to take a bit of pressure off yourself."

One England player looking forward to a rest is captain Lawrence Dallaglio.

It was the same two teams but for me the World Cup is in the past England captain Lawrence Dallaglio Woodward plays down hopes

"Everyone is looking very much forward to this Test match, if anything, because it's the last game of the season," he said.

"We'll be giving everything in the knowledge that there will be a rest."

But Dallaglio said England's World Cup victory over Australia last year had already been consigned to the history books and would have no bearing on their meeting for the Cook Cup this weekend.

"It's always easy to look back at the World Cup because it was in Australia and it was the same two teams but for me the World Cup is in the past," he added.

"Because it's the first time we've played Australia since the final there will always be some parallels drawn but it's really a long, long time ago."