Focus on World Cup matches

Updated 21.47 Fri Sep 07 2007

Keywords: Ben Cohen, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England, World Cup, rugby, sport

England's rugby stars are being told to forget about their slump to seventh in the rankings ahead of the opening match of their World Cup defence against the USA in Pool A in Lens.

Ben Cohen, who helped England lift the Webb Ellis trophy in Sydney four years ago, believes it is the action on the pitch which counts above all else.

"We were the best team in the world and this time around they're ranked seventh, but that doesn't really mean much going into a tournament like this" - Ben Cohen

Cohen opted out of the tournament in France to be with his pregnant wife and told reporters: "We were the best team in the world and this time around they're ranked seventh, but that doesn't really mean much going into a tournament like this.

"There are effectively seven one-off games, and anything can go. Look at Greece in Euro 2004, they won when no-one gave them a cat in hell's chance. It only takes a few wins and before you know it you are in the World Cup final."

Scrum-half Dwayne Peel will captain Wales for the first time when they take on Canada in Pool B on Sunday while Scotland begin their campaign in the so-called Group of Death, Pool C, against minnows Portugal.

Meanwhile, captain Brian o'Driscoll and David Wallace are fit for Ireland's Pool D opener against Namibia in Bordeaux.