By Bryn Palmer

There was little to cheer on England's summer tour to Australia

All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke says England "need a miracle" if they are to retain the Rugby World Cup next year.

With just a year to go, Brooke believes the champions are ill-prepared to defend their title in France.

"They have left it too late and there is not enough time now," Brooke told BBC Sport. "They need a miracle.

"Some of them are good players but they are not going to be up there. They will be competitive, a quarter-final side, maybe semis, but not a final side."

After fourth-place finishes in the last two Six Nations campaigns, the Rugby Football Union opted to change the coaching structure under head coach Andy Robinson.

I would predict that South Africa will beat England twice in November Zinzan Brooke

Assistant coaches Phil Larder, Joe Lydon and Dave Alred were axed, with Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford brought in.

But Brooke believes the changes came two years too late.

"They have finally had the guts to kick a few of these guys into touch but Andy should have formed a new structure two years ago," he said.

"They are going to have to try new combinations this year and I don't think they are going to turn it around, it is just too late.

"The young players are not going to be ready in time. They are not even going to know what a World Cup is about. It is just going to be flashed in front of them and they won't be able to prepare themselves for it."

In the autumn of 2002, England beat the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks in consecutive weeks at Twickenham, the launch-pad for a 2003 Six Nations Grand Slam, summer Test wins in New Zealand and Australia and World Cup victory.

ENGLAND'S LAST FIVE TESTS 17/06/06: Aus 43-18 Eng 11/06/06: Aus 34-3 Eng 18/03/06: Eng 24-28 Ire 12/03/06: Fra 31-6 Eng 25/02/06: Scot 18-12 Eng

By contrast, Brooke believes the forthcoming November internationals, when England face 2007 World Cup opponents South Africa twice, after New Zealand and Argentina, could bring more pain for Robinson.

"South Africa have had a lot more tougher rugby lately and I think those two Tests against England will be crucial for their coach Jake White," he added.

"I would predict that South Africa will beat England twice.

"England may get it right in one game but if you look at their side, they have some good quality individuals, but as a team they are not a patch on the 2003 side.

SCRUM V VIEW I think all England fans recognise that it's highly unlikely that England will win the World Cup HT Scrum V: Have your say

"That team had experience, winners, confidence, maturity, the whole thing. It had a structure that was tested and proven over several years, and they had been to New Zealand and Australia and beaten them a few months before the World Cup.

"I don't see this team being up there. Can they get there? Maybe, but they will need a miracle."