24 years in 140 characters: Got the drop on Australia to win in 03 but were denied by Aussie TMO in 07. Also finalists in 91 but took a whaling from Jonah four years on
Coach: Martin Johnson
Captain: Lewis Moody
Record in 2011: P8 W6 L2
World Cup record:
1987: Quarter-finals
1991: Runners-up
1995: Semi-finals (4th)
1999: Quarter-finals
2003: Winners
2007: Runners-up
How are they likely to get on? If the World Cup was being played in 12 months' time, England would be stronger contenders. As it is they are a team learning on the hoof, vulnerable to opponents who neutralise their forward strength. They should still finish top of the pool but both Argentina and Scotland may make it hard for them to generate any rhythm. The emergence of Manu Tuilagi, though, has finally presented Martin Johnson with a genuine midfield threat and if Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes play to their full potential, England can certainly reach the last four.
Key player: Chris Ashton. When England are at their best, the Northampton wing seems to be everywhere. His support lines and try-scoring instincts could be the difference in tight games.
Commentator's kit: Until the age of 16, the flanker Tom Croft was a member of the West Berkshire Youth Dance Group, studying contemporary, modern and street dancing. He says it contributed to his notable agility and suppleness.
Squad
Dan Cole, prop, age 24, caps 17
Alex Corbisiero, prop, age 23, caps 6
Andrew Sheridan, prop, age 31, caps 38
Matt Stevens, prop, age 28, caps 34
David Wilson, prop, age 26, caps 18
Dylan Hartley, hooker, age 25, caps 29
Lee Mears, hooker, age 32, caps 37
Steve Thompson, hooker, age 33, caps 67
Louis Deacon, second-row, age 30, caps 24
Courtney Lawes, second-row, age 22, caps 9
Tom Palmer, second-row, age 32, caps 27
Simon Shaw, second-row, age 38, caps 67
Tom Croft, flanker, age 25, caps 25
James Haskell, flanker, age 26, caps 36
Lewis Moody (c), flanker, age 33, caps 67
Tom Wood, flanker, age 24, caps 7
Nick Easter, No8, age 33, caps 44
Joe Simpson, scrum-half, age 23, caps 0
Richard Wigglesworth, scrum-half, age 28, caps 7
Ben Youngs, scrum-half, age 22, caps 12
Toby Flood, fly-half, age 26, caps 41
Jonny Wilkinson, fly-half, age 32, caps 86
Matt Banahan, wing, age 24, caps 13
Shontayne Hape, centre, age 30, caps 12
Mike Tindall, centre, age 32, caps 71
Manu Tuilagi, centre, age 20, caps 1
Chris Ashton, wing, age 24, caps 12
Mark Cueto, wing, age 31, caps 52
Delon Armitage, full-back, age 27, caps 21
Ben Foden, full-back, age 26, caps 16
Average age 26.7
Average caps 29.8
