England outhalf Charlie Hodgson is braced for anything at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow - even opposition sledging. Hodgson experienced some trademark Australian chat when the Wallabies triumphed 21-19 at Twickenham earlier this season. And it was not a memorable occasion for Hodgson, who also failed with two straightforward penalty chances that hardly helped the English cause on an afternoon when Australia gained revenge following their 2003 World Cup final defeat.
Those missed kicks raised question marks about his ability to thrive when the pressure is at its most intense. A week earlier, he amassed 27 points - equalling Jonny Wilkinson's England individual record against South Africa - as the Springboks were defeated. But the Wallabies game is what Hodgson and his England team-mates must put behind them as they prepare for a tough baptism in this season's Six Nations Championship.
"You learn from what happens in previous games and previous international matches," said Sale Sharks playmaker Hodgson, who again wears England's number 10 jersey with Wilkinson out injured. "I was talking to Andy Robinson (England head coach) after we played Australia, and he said that two missed kicks don't lose you the game."
While England's victory hopes will rest mainly on the performance of their juggernaut pack, Hodgson also hopes an understated back division can leave an impression. Newcastle centres Mathew Tait and Jamie Noon make their Six Nations debuts, as does Hodgson's Sale colleague Mark Cueto, with scrumhalf Matt Dawson returning after missing the autumn Tests.
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