Wallaby coach Eddie Jones claims only one per cent separated the top five rugby union nations and said Australia "most definitely" had the squad to win next year's World Cup.

Australia posted a mediocre record of six wins and four losses from its Test program this year, including two defeats in four tour internationals and Jones had no problem admitting the world champion and 2003 World Cup host was not currently at the top of the pecking order.

"We've probably got about one per cent separating five teams, I'd say right at this very moment that possibly England and France are the best teams in the world," Jones said.

"England again haven't been tested outside of Twickenham and it will be interesting to see when they play on flat tracks during June how much improvement they've made.

"France had a disastrous summer tour. They lost their three games, but have since come back, played in France and played very well.

"I think New Zealand are improving, South Africa had a fairly mixed tour, so we are somewhere in that mix."

Asked whether Australia could win the World Cup with the players named in the 38-man Rugby World Cup summer camp scheduled for January on the Gold Coast, Jones replied: "Most definitely, without a shadow of a doubt."

While Jones admitted Australia was "never going to have the biggest, strongest pack in the world", he said they had to come up with a "very serviceable pack and felt he could field an eight which would win at least 50 per cent of possession.

Jones felt the intimidation factor wasn't a big part of international rugby any more as proved by England's recent 50-point plus thrashing of a very physical South African side.

"I think Test football is a little bit more sophisticated than that now. It's about winning the ball, using the ball and about hard physical contact.

"I don't know whether violent intimidation is the way to go in Test rugby, in fact I think it's something of the past."

Although he acknowledged Australia struggled in wet European conditions, he stressed games were more forward-oriented than they would be in the southern hemisphere.

He said the Australians need to increase their skill levels to flourish in those conditions.

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