David Wilson, the England tighthead prop, is determined for his side to put an end to a frustrating autumn on a high by overcoming World Cup group rivals Australia in Saturday's final QBE International at Twickenham.
A flawed performance brought a 28-9 victory over Samoa and eased the pressure which had been building after five straight defeats, albeit each of them inflicted by New Zealand and South Africa.
Respectability now hinges on the outcome against Australia, with victory offering a measure of redemption after the losses to the All Blacks and Springboks. A defeat would simply amplify talk of a crisis just 10 months before the World Cup kicks off.
Wilson understands the stakes are high but feels England will benefit from having spent a fifth week together as they seek to land a psychological blow on their rivals ahead of their Group A meeting at Twickenham on October 3 next year.
"We've played some quality sides in New Zealand and South Africa and we're disappointed to have lost," he said. "The pressure is on to win every international, but if we beat Australia it would make the autumn a lot sweeter.
"We haven't done enough to be on the right side of the scoreboard. Now we've had that time together things get easier to sort out."
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