Martin Johnson has stoked old rivalries by suggesting England might find Australia an "easier" proposition than the Pacific Islanders.

In their first game under England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, last year's losing finalists saw off the Islanders, the cream of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, 39-13 at Twickenham.

Now the seemingly sterner challenge of the Wallabies, 30-20 winners away to Italy, awaits at Twickenham this coming weekend.

But Johnson, who led England to World Cup glory against Australia in Sydney five years ago, said familiarity with the Wallabies - beaten 12-10 by the Red Rose in the quarter-finals last year - would be a help to his team.

"The Pacific Islanders were a dangerous team to play. I was asked if I'd considered losing to them, because they are dangerous.

"It may be easier to play Australia than the Pacific Islanders, because we can have a good look at them and know what they're about," the England manager added.

"But the tempo and intensity next week will be higher."

Johnson fielded a starting XV against the Islanders featuring four debutants with New Zealand-born hooker Dylan Hartley coming off the bench to also earn a first cap.

All the new boys made a positive impression with fullback Delon Armitage, the man-of-the-match, starring in a back three which also featured the rapid Ugo Monye.

Riki Flutey, once of New Zealand's Under-19s, was assured at inside centre while Nick Kennedy, paired alongside England captain Steve Borthwick in the second-row, produced the kind of lineout display with which the London Irish lock has made his name in the Premiership.

Kennedy also grabbed one of England's five tries with wing Paul Sackey, who touched down twice, outside-half Danny Cipriani and hooker Lee Mears also crossing the Islanders' line.

"I'm reasonably happy with that," said Johnson. "It was stop-start. That's understandable because this was our first match together and we were trying to put some things together."

"We're in a pretty good place and we're looking forward to next week."

When Johnson was England captain, then coach Clive Woodward's pre-match verbal jousts with Wallaby counterpart Eddie Jones, were a regular feature of Anglo-Australian clashes.

There wasn't as much spice at the 2007 World Cup where England were coached by Brian Ashton and John Connolly, since succeeded as Australia coach by the New Zealander Robbie Deans.

And the old sparring partners haven't stopped their outspoken remarks - even if these days it is not aimed at each other.

Woodward, now the British Olympic Association's performance director, last week delivered some thinly veiled criticisms of Rob Andrew, Johnson's boss at England's Rugby Football Union.

And Jones, currently coach of English Premiership club Saracens after a controversial stint as a consultant to reigning world champions South Africa, has been equally ready in recent times to attack his country's rugby hierarchy.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP