Lawrence Dallaglio admits the painful prospect of watching the final stages of the World Cup back home is all the motivation England need as they prepare for their weekend battle against Australia.

The talismanic number eight, who played such a huge part when England beat the Aussies to lift the Webb Ellis trophy in Sydney four years ago, is likely to start on the bench when head coach Brian Ashton names his side today.

But he was in warrior mood as he urged his England team-mates to forget about 2003 and make history of their own at the Stade Velodrome.

Dallaglio said: ''You don't need to look back for motivation.

''It's about here and now. It's a World Cup quarter-final. A World Cup quarter-final. The opportunity to be in the semi-final of the World Cup.

''All those words are every motivation you need. The prospect of losing and going home and having to watch the last two weeks of the competition is the motivation.

''The reality is there. If you win you move forward. If you don't you go home. That's all the motivation you need.''

But can a struggling England beat an in-form Australia?

''Yes,'' insisted Dallaglio. ''We know Australia have got a bit more form coming into this game but they've beaten us and we've beaten them.

''Everybody in the squad has played in one game where they have been beaten by Australia but also played in at least one game where they have beaten Australia.

''You have to believe you can win the game. We beat them in 2005, they beat us the following year. It has been honours even. In World Cups it's two-all. We've won the last two, they won the two before that.''

On that score the psychological advantage could be with England, courtesy of two drop goals against the Aussies, one famously by Jonny Wilkinson to win the final four years ago and another by England's current elite director of rugby, Rob Andrew, back in 1995.

That was in the final minutes of the quarter final in Cape Town when Andrew's effort knocked out the reigning champions 25-22.

Dallaglio accepts the current England side, who lost 36-0 to South Africa in the group phase and then went on to beat Samoa and Tonga, will have to raise the bar significantly if they are to re-enact such triumphs.

He said: ''We've got ourselves out of a couple of tricky situations in the last two games. The level of performance to beat Australia is going to have to be something we have yet to see from the team in this World Cup.

''They hold onto the ball for multiple phases so we have to defend for multiple phases, something we haven't had to do in this World Cup so far.

''We are going to have to raise our levels. We have the belief and confidence to do that. Belief is not something we are struggling with.''

They are still searching for balance, however, and Dallaglio has struggled to make an impact after playing poorly in England's opening pool game against the United States.

He returned briefly, from the bench, against Tonga but is desperate to influence the outcome of what could be his last game for his country.

At least with Dallaglio you can always rely on an honest assessment.

He said: ''I've had one chance in this World Cup and I blew my assignment against America. I was given the opportunity and didn't take it. I don't look to blame anyone other than myself.

''Whatever role I play, whether it's in the starting team, on the bench or not in the team at all you have to play your part. World Cups are not won by one person, they are won by a squad of 30 and back up staff. That was the clear message from the last World Cup.

''It's a great game to be involved in and a great game to start. If that's not to be I'll look forward to whatever part I play.''

Most of all Dallaglio believes we will see a much improved England team on Saturday.

He said: ''There's nothing like back to back victories to regain momentum and confidence in the team and that is exactly what's happened.

''The signs are there and they are going to have to be in abundance on Saturday. We are definitely moving forward.''