Maro Itoje sees victory over Australia as more than just a step forward in the new Nations Championship, with the England captain believing it's a golden opportunity to strike a major psychological blow for next year's World Cup.
The old rivals will be meeting for the last time before what's projected to be an epic quarter-final clash in Sydney on October 31 next year when the 2027 global rugby showpiece is in full cry in Australia.
"Each game is new but there's no doubt that against teams you're going to play down the line, you want them to know that you've got their number," said Itoje on the eve of Sunday's (Monday AEDT) clash at Twickenham.
