Lawrence Dallaglio is ready to play his part in England's push for the World Cup quarter-finals and stake a claim to meet old enemies Australia.

Wasps star Dallaglio will be on the bench as England face a tournament eliminator against Tonga at Parc des Princes on Friday.

The 35-year-old has featured in just one of England's three Pool A games so far and that concluded with him being sin-binned during a wholly unsatisfactory team performance against the United States.

He then failed to make the match-day 22 for appointments with South Africa and Samoa.

But 81 times-capped Dallaglio could yet have a role to play, with the Wallabies looming in Marseille tomorrow week.

"Things haven't gone the way I wanted. I did get a start against America, and I can't look beyond myself why that hasn't continued," he said.

"I was disappointed, frustrated, but I am not one for looking back. I have a role to play and will do whatever we can to win the game.

"It's not a huge surprise we are in this position considering what has happened since the last World Cup.

"We are ranked seventh in the world, and Tonga have been the most improved team in the tournament.

"They have given South Africa a good run for their money, maybe a bounce away from beating them, and got a great win against Samoa.

"We recognise the threat, but we still have a few gears to run into."

England are faced with a simple equation - beat Tonga and they march on; lose, and a weekend flight home beckons.

No reigning champion has exited at the pool stage in five previous Rugby World Cups, and England do not intend creating a humiliating piece of history.

"If we don't win this game, we go home," head coach Brian Ashton said. "I think Tonga are probably a stronger side at the moment than Samoa, and it is going to be a tough game.

"But there is a sense of anticipation, as opposed to anxiety, this week. I think it is fair to say all the players are really anticipating the match.

"I have got total confidence in the 22 players who are going out there that they are going to do the job."

Ashton's bold call in selection means no starting place for World Cup captain Phil Vickery, who features alongside Dallaglio among the replacements after serving a two-match ban.

Martin Corry retains the leadership role, with Matt Stevens staying at tighthead prop despite Vickery's re-emergence, but Vickery, Dallaglio and Joe Worsley give the bench a powerful feel, and it is that strength in reserve which could ultimately negate Tongan hopes of causing a monumental upset.

"As captain, the most important thing you want to see is that everyone is right on the money, and when you get closer to the game it is about judging how the mood is," Corry said.

"Our execution wasn't right in the first two games, and neither was our discipline going through with the game plan.

"It is making sure we are all clear, at whatever stage of the match, we stick to the discipline of our game."

Sporting Life / Eurosport