Former Wallabies captain Michael Lynagh has cast doubt on Australia's chances of retaining the Rugby World Cup next year, saying the current lineup has not evolved into a winning team.

Lynagh said he was concerned at Australia's mechanical style of play and tipped England as the side to beat next November.

Speaking at a Rugby World Cup promotion in Paris, Lynagh praised England's character in coming from behind to beat the Wallabies by one point at Twickenham last weekend.

"England will have to go close (to winning the cup)," Lynagh said.

"They have a squad with real depth and some very talented young players such as Johnny Wilkinson."

Lynagh conceded the Wallabies had a difficult tour schedule and some injuries but said their form was worrying - unless they were trying to lull their opponents into a false sense of security.

"I'm a little bit more nervous than what I was before this tour," he said.

"There were some personnel missing but not many. I'm just concerned about the way Australia are playing.

"Their play is very similar to what they've done over the last two or three years and they don't seem to have evolved into a team that's going to win a World Cup next year.

"It's a bit mechanical and the other teams seem to have worked them out. It's a bit like the Brumbies which went through a slump earlier this year and teams just seemed to work them out. But then they came through that.

"Maybe, and I'm hopeful, they're got this all sorted out and they don't want to show their hand, they just want to keep going through the same motions and before the World Cup start playing something a little bit different."

Lynagh said it was always difficult to come to the northern hemisphere at the end of the Australian season and the start of the European season.

"It was a whistle stop tour, Argentina one week, change time zones and go and play in a pool in Ireland and then come to England, who are hyped up for it," he said.

"So there are plenty of excuses and maybe in a way losing these matches is not a bad thing, it will take the focus off Australia and the public won't expect too much."

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