Gordon Bulloch believes the Aussies and Kiwis will do well

Gordon Bulloch believes that World Cup favourites England will flop in Australia under the weight of expectancy they have piled on their own shoulders.

The Scotland hooker and a columnist for this website believes that Clive Woodward's men are rightly regarded as the team to beat Down Under after recent victories over rivals from the Southern Hemisphere.

But the tough-tackling Glasgow man has seen it all before, with a seemingly invincible England being brought crashing down to earth in the big championships.

"You've got to look at the present form and England have so much strength and talent and rightly they are number one," said Bulloch.

"But, when we back them as number one, they usually mess up.

I think a few of the English guys might find themselves being stretched too far Gordon Bulloch

"They have gone for four or five Grand Slams in a row and always been number one and they haven't done that.

"I do think they will find it difficult. They have put so much expectation on their own shoulders and we've not seen the best of Australia.

"They didn't play well at all in the summer and I think they will respond to the World Cup and where it is.

"New Zealand as well are used to playing in these temperatures.

"I think a few of the English guys might find themselves being stretched too far, especially when the heat comes on and teams are playing fast rugby."