FORMER England scrum-half Richard Hill has urged Clive Woodward's men to learn the lessons of the 1991 World Cup final as they prepare for Saturday's showdown with Australia.
The former Bath back, now coach of Bristol, was part of the team defeated 12-6 by the Wallabies at Twickenham 12 years ago - a result which owed much to England's late change in tactics.
Goaded by the usual Australian jibes that they were boring to watch - typically led by David Campese - England decided to turn their backs on the forward-dominated game which had served them so well in reaching the final.
The Wallabies kept it tight, scoring a solitary and unspectacular try through prop Tony Daly, and were crowned world champions - prompting Hill to suggest that his side's mistakes should be remembered.
"Australia were an outstanding side in those days. On top of that we had the division of what tactics to play on the day. Half the squad wanted to keep it tight while the other half said we should throw the ball around," he said.
"The forwards were very annoyed after the game because they'd wanted to play Australia by taking them on up front with a territorial match. But we decided to play the ball in hand which was a high-risk game.
"It was very dangerous as we found out to our cost. But the tactics were changed before the final.
"Will Carling was the captain though and I think the management had a very difficult decision to make. They were in the middle of this split - ideally you want the whole team believing in one gameplan. Ultimately (coach) Geoff Cooke went with Will Carling because he was skipper. That was fair enough but the forwards felt they should have got their way.
"I'm sure Clive Woodward and his management team have analysed Australia in depth and decided upon a strategy to beat them - it's then up to the whole squad to follow it. Every player has to believe that those tactics will win."
