LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England's exploits Down Under will only motivate other teams eager to dethrone the new kings of world rugby.
Dallaglio may still be basking in the glory of Saturday's World Cup triumph, but he knows lifting the Webb Ellis trophy will have inspired England's rivals to step up a gear.
Wasps' powerful number eight - the only player Clive Woodward selected for every World Cup match - believes all sides already raise the te mpo agai ns t England.
But he now expects the likes of New Zealand and Australia to double their efforts.
"We'll be champions for the next four years, but I'm sure everyone involved with England will cope with it in exactly the same way as the last four years," he said.
"We'll take each game as it comes - that's what has got us where we are now.
"When you take the field as an England player, everyone wants to beat you and every team raises their game.
"But to take the field as England and the world champions will only enhance the motivation for every other team in the world.
"We're aware of that - we've felt like that's been the case for the last two years anyway - but we will continue to meet the challenge."
England's victory may have signalled a shift in the balance of power between the northern and southern hemispheres, especially as France also reached the semi-finals where they were booted out by Jonny Wilkinson.
Some observers have suggested Les Bleus were the second best team in the competition, while Ireland and Wales also showed flashes of brilliance, almost upsetting Australia and New Zealand on the way.
With the next World Cup being staged in France, all attention will gaze north of the equator and Dallaglio believes the Six Nations teams will acquit themselves well once again.
"The northern hemisphere sides left the World Cup with a lot to be proud of," declared said the former England skipper.
"Ireland and Wales put in some good performances, so there is a lot to be encouraged by.
"During the next Rugby World Cup the focus will turn on the northern hemisphere like never before thanks to what's been achieved this time in Australia."
