OMNISPORT

England are playing knockout rugby already at the Rugby World Cup following their defeat to Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, says backs coach Andy Farrell.

The 28-25 defeat leaves Stuart Lancaster's side likely needing to beat Australia to have any hope of qualifying from Pool A for the latter stages of the tournament.

They face the Wallabies this weekend with pressure already beginning to build, but Farrell says there is a hunger within the 31-man squad to put right their mistakes against Wales.

"Lessons learned, definitely," he said when reflecting on the loss. "For 55 minutes we dominated the game and devastated that we let the game slip. 

"We move on with the lessons learned to Australia. This should be the best week of their lives because we know what is at stake.

"They [Australia] played very well at the weekend [beating Uruguay 65-3]. 

"It is the same as all of the Australian teams of the past. They are going to ask questions of us defensively and we have to be at our best. We have to try to impose our attacking game on them as well.

"We have to realise we have another chance to get the win that we are so desperate for. We need to get back on the horse and put it right. It is knockout stage now."

While Billy Vunipola has left the squad through injury – to be replaced by Nick Easter – Farrell says there is better news on England's other walking wounded.

He added: "Ben Morgan is fully back into training and fine to go. Courtney [Lawes] has not trained today and won't train tomorrow. We should know where he is on Wednesday morning. 

"[Jonathan] Joseph is making good strides. We will train twice tomorrow and he is expected to do both.

"Ben Youngs is not ready to train tomorrow but we will know more on Wednesday."