The Wallabies have dismissed as irrelevant the prospect of wet and windy conditions for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final with England in the south of France Saturday (kick-off Saturday 2300 AEST).

With rain forecast and a tactical kicking showdown looming large at Marseille's Stade Velodrome, England coach Brian Ashton drafted in veteran Mike Catt as his replacement injured inside centre Andy Farrell.

Australian coach John Connolly expected the dynamics of the game to change slightly with Catt's inclusion, but was nevertheless confident the Wallabies had the armoury and necessary know-how to resist any English challenge.

"They would probably have a lot stronger kicking game, more pace (but) not (be) quite as strong," Connolly said.

"Apparently there's about a 25 per cent chance it's going to rain. It's a fairly open stadium, so the wind could play a big factor as well.

"We don't play in a lot of windy stadiums in Australia or New Zealand or South Africa so it does a bring a different factor into play and England are comfortable in those conditions because most of their club grounds are very open.

"But I think we're definitely more confident with all conditions.

"I mean, Eden Park (against New Zealand) last year it was tough, windy and very wet and we were very comfortable going into that game."

Despite the Wallabies not having the best history of performing well in the wet, skipper Stirling Mortlock said he didn't expect weather conditions to be a factor in latest showdown between two of sport's great rivals.

"This team's gone through a building phase over the last 12 to 18 months now and I think we've got the ability to play in wet weather," Mortlock said.

"Our kicking structures are a lot better now and we've got three or four guys who are pretty solid kickers, so I think that helps."

Mortlock admitted his right shoulder was still not 100 per cent right but insisted he was fine to make his comeback for the quarter-final grudge match.

"I wouldn't say that I would be 100 per cent because I did damage the shoulder three weeks ago," he said.

"Having said that, the rehab that I've done ... I've done all of the contact and everything's gone really well.

"So I'm probably about 99 (per cent) realistically and I don't think I'm going to get to a hundred at this stage.

"I think it's as good as it can get. Basically, it's a shoulder that I'm going to have to get treatment on and just going to have to work on and manage it.

"But it's got a lot of confidence in it, I've had a lot of contact and the strength is back to full strength."

As if nothing could faze the Wallabies, Mortlock even brushed off taunts from Sir Clive Woodward - who coached England to their extra-time victory over Australia in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.

Writing for the Times newspaper, Woodward suggested the Wallabies should be the ones feeling the pressure because Australia couldn't bear losing to England at the World Cup three times in a row.

A Rob Andrew drop goal also sunk the Wallabies in the 1995 quarter-final in Cape Town.

"Past World Cup wins or losses or results are pretty irrelevant to what happens tomorrow afternoon," Mortlock said.

"So everyone can put their spin on it, but we're solely focused on playing well tomorrow afternoon.

"What happened four years ago or 12 years ago doesn't really affect us too much."

The winners will play either New Zealand or France in the semi-finals next Saturday in Paris.

Teams

ENGLAND: 15-Jason Robinson, 14-Paul Sackey, 13-Mathew Tait, 12-Mike Catt, 11-Josh Lewsey, 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Andy Gomarsall, 8-Nick Easter, 7-Lewis Moody, 6-Martin Corry, 5-Ben Kay, 4-Simon Shaw, 3-Phil Vickery (captain), 2-Mark Regan, 1-Andrew Sheridan.

Replacements: 16-George Chuter, 17-Matt Stevens, 18-Lawrence Dallaglio, 19-Joe Worsley, 20-Peter Richards, 21-Toby Flood, 22-Dan Hipkiss.

AUSTRALIA: 15-Chris Latham, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Lote Tuqiri, 10-Berrick Barnes, 9-George Gregan, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Dan Vickerman, 4-Nathan Sharpe, 3-Guy Shepherdson, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Matt Dunning.

Replacements: 16-Adam Freier, 17-Al Baxter, 18-Hugh McMeniman, 19-Stephen Hoiles, 20-Phil Waugh, 21-Julian Huxley, 22-Drew Mitchell

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