England can become the first country to successfully defend the rugby World Cup when they go up against South Africa in the final of this year's event in Paris tonight. So how does the present line-up compare with the class of 2003, man for man?

Full-back: Josh Lewsey v Jason Robinson

Sale man Robinson, set to retire from all rugby after this evening's match, has been one of the standout performers at this World Cup in his converted role from the wing. Wasp Lewsey was on top of his game in 2003 and provided a solid all-round defensive presence at full-back.

Verdict: Lewsey

Left wing: Jason Robinson v Paul Sackey

Lightning-quick Sackey, another Wasps player, has been one of England's big success stories and will pounce on half a chance. Robinson, who scored our only try in the 2003 final, offers the magical ability to conjure something from nothing.

Verdict: Robinson

Outside centre: Mike Tindall v Mathew Tait

Tindall boasted power and physical presence in midfield, whereas Newcastle's Tait is the opposite, capable of injecting lightning pace through the middle.

Verdict: Tindall

Inside centre: Will Greenwood v Mike Catt

London Irish centre Catt is England's second playmaker and takes the heat off Jonny Wilkinson. Greenwood is credited with the brains behind England's back division in 2003.

Verdict: Greenwood

Right wing: Ben Cohen v Mark Cueto

Sale's Cueto gets his chance following the injury to Lewsey - now a regular on the wing - in the semi-final against France. He is a proven try-scorer. Four years ago Cohen boasted a reputation for being one of the world's best wingers.

Verdict: Cohen

Fly-half: Jonny Wilkinson 2003 v Jonny Wilkinson 2007

Injuries have famously restricted Falcons hero Wilkinson to just 12 Tests since kicking England to victory in the 2003 final Down Under. His accuracy on place kicks or out of hand has lessened, despite his match-winning penalty and drop goal against the hosts in the last four. His importance is now as much for his tackling presence as his boot - neither should be underestimated by the Springboks.

Verdict: Draw

Scrum-half: Matt Dawson v Andy Gomarsall

Harlequins man Gomarsall, playing pub rugby only a year ago, has been one of England's key men at this World Cup and is enjoying the form of his life. His kick down the line in the first minute against France popped up for Lewsey to score. Dawson set the standard in 2003 though and teed up Wilkinson for the last-gasp drop-goal after selling the Aussies a beautiful dummy at the breakdown and bursting through to put Jonny in range.

Verdict: Dawson

Loose-head prop: Trevor Woodman v Andrew Sheridan

Woodman was a mobile and athletic loose-head but Sale forward Sheridan is powerful and destructive and could give England a huge advantage on Saturday by getting the better of CJ van der Linde.

Verdict: Sheridan

Hooker: Steve Thompson v Mark Regan

Thompson's size and power made him unrivalled in the world before injury struck. Bristol's Regan is full of passion, determination and guts, epitomising everything about England at this World Cup - at least since the last time we faced South Africa and went down 36-0.

Verdict: Thompson

Tight-head prop: Phil Vickery 2003 v Phil Vickery 2007

One of the best scrummagers in the game four years ago while at Bath and nothing has changed. Now of Wasps and England's captain, Vickery's leadership has been central to England's rejuvenation and could see them push their heroics through on one last occasion to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.

Verdict: Vickery 2007

Lock: Martin Johnson v Simon Shaw

Another Wasp, Shaw is a dynamic lock with the hands of a centre and has been one of England's star performers at this World Cup, dealing with the ball in pressure situations. However there was only one Johnson, a legend in the sport and our greatest captain. The sight of him marshalling the maul in the Telstra Stadium in 2003 will endure.

Verdict: Johnson

Lock: Ben Kay 2003 v Ben Kay 2007

Perennial Leicester Tiger Kay suffered a major slump in form after 2003 but has rediscovered his best at just the right time. Kay has not missed a single minute of action at this World Cup and the consistency he brings could prove crucial.

Verdict: Kay 2007

Blindside flanker: Richard Hill v Martin Corry

Injury meant Hill only played the semi-final and final four years ago but he proved in those two games why he was considered one of the best in the world and thrown straight back into the mix. Former captain and Leicester skipper Corry will never shy away from a challenge and adds to the leadership experience in white.

Verdict: Hill

Openside flanker: Neil Back v Lewis Moody

Eurosport.yahoo.com expert Back was the best open-side flanker in the world in 2003 but would face a stern challenge from Moody, one of his charges as defensive coach at Leicester. Mad Dog's physical and committed approach to the breakdown has made the difference for England at this World Cup - he is one of the key men.

Verdict: Back

Number eight: Lawrence Dallaglio v Nick Easter

Wasps captain Dallaglio was England's talisman in 2003 and played every minute of every game, although he has been largely restricted to substitute appearances this time around and will again be on the bench at the Stade de France. Expect his physicality to be brought in if the game goes down to the wire. Quin Nick Easter has been in impressive form through the tournament since displacing his rival - although his first match was the hammering at the hands of Jake White's men.

Verdict: Dallaglio

Overall: 2003 - 11, 2007 - 3

Brian Ashton's present England side may not match that of Sir Clive Woodward man for man, but as a team they have grown and stand a chance of turning over one more supposedly superior side to retain the world title.

Sporting Life / Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport