Veteran Lawrence Dallaglio has denied England needed any extra motivation for their World Cup quarter-final against Australia, but said he appreciated John O'Neill for delivering it anyway.

Australian Rugby Union supremo O'Neill surprised staff and players in both camps over the weekend by declaring "we all hate England".

The Wallabies responded by distancing themselves from the comments and talking up the countries' "great sporting rivalry".

Former skipper Dallaglio, who started at No.8 in England's thrilling 2003 final victory over Australia, felt the Anglo-Australian showdown, and the reward on offer, already had passions at fever pitch.

"I don't think you need to look back at motivation. It's about the here and now," he said.

"It's a World Cup quarter-final, a World Cup quarter-final. The opportunity to be in the semi-final of the World Cup, (and) against Australia.

"There are every motivation you need."

But Dallaglio indicated O'Neill's comments had registered with the out-of-sorts English.

"Obviously between the countries there is a big rivalry, not just in rugby, but across sport," he said.

"The hype, like in 2003, will always be there, we don't need people adding to it.

"We don't need motivation to play in a game like this. If they want to give us extra motivation, that's fine."

Dallaglio, 35, believes he's missed the boat to be in the starting XV for Saturday's clash after failing to take his chance against the USA in England's tournament opener.

Coach Brian Ashton is still to decide on his line-up, including his back-row, but the best the 82-Test stalwart can hope for is a spot on the bench.

Ashton will name his side on Wednesday and has concerns over winger Paul Sackey and flanker Lewis Moody.

The dangerous Jason Robinson is expected to be named at fullback.

The Wallabies will announce their team on Thursday but there will be few surprises.

Adam Ashley-Cooper appears set to edge the tournament's leading try-scorer, Drew Mitchell, out of the left wing spot.

Most interest will revolve around the make-up of Australia's bench, with Scott Staniforth unlikely to play due to his shoulder injury.

The selectors are also undecided on whether they will stick to their preference for a 5-2 forwards-backs split or name an extra back on the bench.

Dallaglio said England, beaten 36-0 by South Africa on September 14, needed to produce far better than their shoddy pool play to surprise Australia.

"We have to go in with the belief that we can win this game," he said.

"We won in 2005, they won twice in 2006 and it is 2-2 in the World Cup.

"As a group we have to raise the performance levels, but belief is something that is not lacking in this group."

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