England's friendly against the New Zealand Barbarians on Saturday is being seen as a welcome-home party after last month's World Cup success, but to Richard Hill, who is captaining his country for the first time, the occasion marks a new beginning.
At 30 and with 63 caps, Hill is an England veteran but he has no intention of retiring from international rugby. He thinks Saturday is more about the 2007 World Cup than a celebration of Sydney last month.
"There has had to be a bigger focus than ever in training this week," said Hill. "Everything has been serious and there are a number of new players who have everything to play for.
"Everyone will be looking to put down a marker ahead of the Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome in February. Saturday is not going to be an exhibition match because there is so much at stake. The New Zealand Barbarians will be determined to burst our World Cup balloon."
Hill was appointed captain after the prop Phil Vickery picked up a rib injury playing for Gloucester against Bourgoin.
Two other players have pulled out. The hooker Steve Thompson damaged his ankle in training and was replaced by Mark Regan, with Andy Titterrell coming on to the bench. Charlie Hodgson withdrew with a knee injury, leaving Clive Woodward without a specialist outside-half in reserve to Paul Grayson, so the wing Ben Gollings has been brought into the 22.
The visitors have also had problems. Wasps withdrew their prop Craig Dowd in protest at the £10,000 compensation fee offered and the visitors were trying to add Newcastle's Tonga flanker Epi Taione to their ranks.
Premiership directors of rugby are questioning the logic of the game, although clubs voted 10-2 to accept the £100,000 each for agreeing to it on top of the supplement for providing up to three players. But Hill believes the fixture has merit.
"The future starts now," he said. "No one who played in the final is entitled to keep his place for Italy. Being asked to captain England was a huge honour for me, even though caps are not being awarded. It is something I never envisaged and I'll have to change my approach before a game, which is based on not saying many words.
"I have captained Saracens a few times and I'm not going to be asking players to stamp on the floor, or hit themselves and each other. It is up to individuals to motivate themselves; and they have every incentive to do so.
"Winning the World Cup has not diminished my appetite. The pride and passion brought on by playing for your country burn as brightly in me as ever, and that goes for the vast majority of the squad in Australia.
"While it is too far to look ahead to 2007, I feel fit and healthy and I am enjoying the game. The Lions are going to New Zealand in 2005, but I am not setting any deadlines as far as my career is concerned."
Julian White may miss the the Italy game because of the prop's knee injury which will be operated on next week. "The recovery time is more of a concern than the cartilage problem itself," said his Leicester coach Dean Richards. Leicester's hooker Dorian West also needs knee surgery, but he is not expected to be out for as long.
Australia's captain George Gregan will carry on playing internationally year. He is six caps short of David Campese's national record of 101 and turned down approaches from Europe to continue with the ACT Brumbies.
John Mitchell should know today whether he will carry on as the All Blacks' coach. Forced to reapply for his job after World Cup failure, he is being challenged by the former Wales and Lions' coach Graham Henry. The New Zealand Rugby Union board interviewed both men yesterday. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed," said Mitchell.
