England’s near loss to Samoa at the 2003 Rugby World Cup will play a large part in the build up to this year’s fixture, says Jonny Wilkinson.

Wilkinson scored 15 points that day but says the match is still very vivid in his rugby memory bank.

"It doesn't take a massive rugby brain to realise that these guys are physical and full of skill,” he says.

“We found that out four years ago. They can move the ball well. They are one of the best teams in the world at being able to ignore the numbers on their backs. They have got outside backs who can take the ball forward just as good as any flanker or front row.

"We know exactly what is required of us. We must be hugely positive and get the strength out of the players and we'll have a huge opportunity to get success."

Wilkinson has recovered from the injury to his right ankle he sustained during England's first training session in France and is set for his first World Cup match since kicking the World Cup-winning drop goal in Sydney in 2003.

"We have to live one game at a time now. There are no simple games any more, not with the strength and the quality and the physicality of rugby throughout the world and the skill levels of the Tongans and Samoans in our group.