Victory over South Africa in Perth last Saturday means that a last-four place is assured as long as they beat remaining Pool C opponents Samoa and Uruguay. Wales or Italy would then provide probable quarter-final opposition.

Even though Samoa – England’s next opponents in the Melbourne Telstra Dome on Sunday – have scored 16 tries in defeating Uruguay and Georgia, their apparent lack of forward power suggests that they will not seriously challenge the Six Nations champions.

Woodward, who will announce his starting line-up tomorrow, intends making changes for the Samoa clash.

Wasps centre Stuart Abbott is the likely replacement for Will Greenwood, who has flown home to be with his pregnant wife Caro, and Iain Balshaw, Mark Regan and Julian White should also be among those players making first tournament starts.

But England are taking nothing for granted against Samoa after they began preparations in the torrential Melbourne rain this morning.

“There is absolutely no chance of any complacency,” said head coach Woodward. “If you turn the ball over against Samoa, then they are quicker than most people.

“On reflection, our defence against South Africa was outstanding, but we will be very critical about the amount of ball we turned over.

“It was one of England’s greatest ever defensive performances, but our attacking play was way off it.”

It will be England’s first game against Samoa since 1995 at Twickenham, when half-backs Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson were both handed their Test debuts, and Lawrence Dallaglio made his first international start.

“I only see the next hurdle,” added Woodward, refusing to look beyond England’s remaining group games towards the knockout stages.

“England will still field a very strong team, and we are back in the Telstra Dome, where we beat Australia 25-14, and 3-1 on tries, in June.”

England star Jason Robinson, meanwhile, has dismissed the relentless barrage of Australian media criticism that has followed England throughout their World Cup campaign.

Despite brushing aside South Africa to put themselves firmly on course for next month’s World Cup final, England are being portrayed Down Under as public enemy number one.

‘Is That All You’ve Got’ screamed one headline yesterday alongside a giant picture of Jonny Wilkinson kicking England home against South Africa.

“The best thing to do is not read the newspapers here,” Robinson said. “We have come to compete in the World Cup, not to study newspapers.

“Nobody wants to give us any credit, so we just get on with doing our professional job.”

Samoa, whose team will be announced on Friday, have an injury concern about wing Ron Fanautanu. He limped off after just six minutes of the 46-9 victory over Georgia two days ago.

Centre Brian Lima, meanwhile, is set to create a new World Cup record of 15 successive tournament appearances.

The 31-year-old former Stade Francais and Swansea player has begun a fourth World Cup campaign, having made his Samoan debut against Tonga 12 years ago.