Martin Johnson has claimed that England have been drawn in the hardest group in Rugby World Cup history.
The host nation must face Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay at this year's tournament, with just the top two reaching the quarter-finals.
Despite having a tough route through to the last eight, Johnson believes that England can benefit from the challenge.
"It's the toughest pool there has ever been in a World Cup and someone will be going home early," the 2003 World Cup winner is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News
"Whoever loses England versus Wales, their next game becomes a must-win. They'll have to beat Australia just to stay in the tournament.
"But in a way it won't do England any harm at all. It's often the teams that have to fight and battle who will be in the best position come the end of the World Cup. If they win the group then it doesn't really get any harder, at least until the final."
England start the tournament against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on September 18.
Jack Prescott
