When Clive Woodward took over from Jack Rowell as England coach he made it quite clear that all of his actions, thoughts and preparations, would be directed towards the 1999 World Cup. He had a dream and belief that the England rugby team could deliver something which the nation had singularly failed to witness for over 30 years - World Cup success in a major team sport.
There have been times over the last two years when observers suspected that this ambition was laughable and wholly impossible.
The reign started with a series of defeats (admittedly against strong opposition) and at the end of the first year, "England" travelled to the Southern Hemisphere with an under-strength side and received almighty stuffings at the hands of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The unavailability of most of their first-choice players seemed to reflect the arguments which manifested themselves between clubs and country. The clubs, bankrolled by millionaire benefactors, had the players under contract and would not expose their employees to further injuries when rest was required after a tough domestic season.
The programme had been inherited by Woodward, but it did nothing to ease the pressure, as performances on the pitch were embarrassing. Disappointments continued as England scrambled and scratched their way round Italy last November to qualify for the main event. Unconvincing wins followed over Scotland and France, and while Ireland were ultimately taken apart at Lansdowne Road, defeat against Wales at Wembley not only handed the Five Nations crown to arch-rivals Scotland, but had the cynics again suggesting that other Five Nations countries should be taken more seriously than England.
Suggest it at your peril. I believe England could go all the way this time.
It has not escaped the England management that defences seem to win major competitions. For all the brilliance of the All Black rugby in 1995 in South Africa, it was the home nation's defence which ultimately prevailed. Brazil may have played the best football in last year's World Cup, but France had the best defensive record and won it.
Leicester's overwhelming Championship success in last years Premiership was built on an outstanding defensive record. Dean Richards may have taken the plaudits but his masterstroke was in requisitioning Rugby League maestro Phil Larder to organise the defence.
England had already turned to Larder to take on the specialist role of defence coach, and there have been several signs to suggest that their concentration in this area is yielding results. When South Africa's record-winning sequence came to an end at Twickenham at the end of last year, only one try was conceded. The draw against Australia at Twickenham and the emphatic defeat of France at the same venue also saw a strong English defence coming to the fore.
With an increasing belief that sides will have to work extra hard to get over the England line, the team has a growing confidence going forward. Some might point to the weakness of the opposition, but scoring 100 points against the US Eagles is still some achievement. A robust and physical Canadian side were dispatched by 36 points to 11 (only a week after they had pushed the much-fancied Welsh), and two challenge matches against Premiership All Stars have again seen the scoreboard handlers overworked.
England have managed to clear up many of their injury problems at the right time, and now have a squad with a depth representing the quality of rugby which is served up most weeks in the Premiership. There is genuine competition for places within the team, which is not really the case with some of their more serious challengers. While Wales will be praying that their eight, nine and 10 (Scott Quinnell, Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins) stay free from injury, there are few players in the English squad who could not be replaced with individuals of a similar pedigree.
Few people even close to the squad would like to select the strongest front row from Jason Leonard and Graham Rowntree, Phil Greening, Richard Cockerill, Phil Vickery and Darren Garforth. It is arguable that the less-renowned trio of Rowntree, Greening and Vickery may get the nod, and I envisage the latter particularly strengthening the England pack at the set pieces, as I'm not convinced that England have scrummaged with any sort of authority recently.
This is an area, no doubt, where the All Blacks, so meticulous in the planning, will have taken note. Greening will hope to get the nod, as Cockerill's throwing-in has been indifferent lately.
The rapidly-developing Danny Grewcock has now moved alongside (if not overtaken) Tim Rodber for the position in the middle of the line-out. While new captain Martin Johnson is such a lynchpin - he has an incredible injury-free record (overlooking his unavailability for the ill-fated 1998 Southern Hemisphere tour) - but he has also a fin e understudy in Garath Archer. The new recruit to Bristol has a similarly forthright and uncomplicated view on life up front, and could fill Johnson's huge boots if needed.
The recent withdrawals through injury of Kyran Bracken and David Rees certainly does cut some of Woodward's options in the backs. Matt Dawson and Bracken have contested the number nine slot all the way. Wasps scrum-half Martyn Wood now comes into the reckoning.
The emergence of Jonny Wilkinson as an outstanding goalkicker who is now accomplished at 10 or 12, has eased the pressure on Paul Grayson to stay fit. Indeed Wilkinson is now likely to pull the strings at 10 with the fully-fit Will Greenwood and the ageless Jerry Guscott at centre. Ex captain Phil De Glanville will no doubt vigorously contest the midfield slots.
Out wide, Woodward has always placed his faith in Rees and will be disappointed that his frustrating run of injuries has continued. Dan Luger has developed in leaps and bounds on the left wing while Austin Healy will hope to benefit from Rees's withdrawal. At full back, Matt Perry and Nick Beal have come on well over the last few months and will offer serious attacking options.
However, it is in the back row trio of Richard Hill, Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio that England may have their trump card - and yet they also may rue a non-selection in this area.
The three have played very well as a unit and have repaid the confidence placed in them. Former captain Dallaglio has been particularly impressive since his return to the fray. Woodward took a huge gamble in backing him in public and privately following the drug allegations in May. The support, even to the point of him training with the squad long before the hearing into his case had been concluded, could have backfired, but now a fresh and highly-motivated player has added further impetus to the squad.
But I think Southern Hemisphere opposition will ask serious questions of that back row going backwards. And I believe Ben Clarke should have been in Woodward's final 30. Clarke has had his best games against the best sides and is ferocious at close quarters around the edge of ruck and maul, in what Jack Rowell called the "corridor of power."
So how far can England go? Many have seen the group game against New Zealand as the key to everything. It is important, as the side finishing second in the group will need to play an extra game to make the quarter-finals. However, whether they win or finish second in the group, I'm sure England will make the last eight.
Winning the group would give them a clear run to the semi-finals, but even if New Zealand do win the group, a quarter-final for England against South Africa is likely - significantly, at Twickenham.
Both semi-finals are also at Twickenham and this would favour England. I'm conscious that as an Englishman in Ireland I'll get terrific stick from my players at Galwegians if I say my home country will deliver and they don't! This even though I actually fancy Ireland to possibly make the semi-finals. However, it is my head, not my heart, which points to there being two England v New Zealand clashes in the 1999 World Cup.
I believe the second one will be at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday, November 6th, in the World Cup final. However, it is the All Blacks whom I see lifting the trophy.
