Leonard On 'Special' England-Australia Rivalry

Jason Leonard, a 2003 World Cup winner with England, hopes that the rugby team can take inspiration from and emulate England's successful cricketers.

Speaking at a 'Battle of the Ashes' cricket event in London, the junior RFU vice-president speaks about how any England v Australia contest is special, whether it be cricket, rugby, or any other sport.

And he would know.

It was against Australia that Leonard played in both the 1991 and 2003 World Cup finals, losing out first time round but winning at the second attempt.

He remains the most-capped front row forward in the history of the game with 114 caps for England (119 in all), and he played some 11 of those Tests against the Wallabies.

While England's cricketers have as yet failed to claim the 50-over World Cup in their sport, they have tasted success at Twenty20 level and have won the last three Ashes contests, which is an England-Australia contest that stretches back to the 19th century.

Leonard predicts that both cricketers and rugby players face tight contests this winter, and as he says, Australians don't take losing lying down.