England go in search of revenge when they face Ireland in their final World Cup warm-up match in Dublin on Saturday and that means the match will be anything but friendly according to Red Rose scrum coach Graham Rowntree.

England may have won this season's Six Nations title but their hopes of a Grand Slam were dashed at the final hurdle following a 24-8 Lansdowne Road loss to Ireland five months ago.

They now return to Dublin looking for a lift after a loss to Wales in Cardiff last time out took some shine off the Twickenham victory in the first of two warm-up matches with their border rivals.

Ireland too will be desperate for a win in their last outing before they head to New Zealand for the World Cup after a loss to Scotland and two defeats by France.

There are fears about what further damage may be done to an England squad where several members of manager Martin Johnson's 30-man party for the World Cup are already nursing injuries by a full-blooded encounter with Ireland.

But Rowntree, who in his playing days was a Leicester team-mate of England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, believes a high intensity Test match is just what the team need ahead of their tournament opener against Argentina.

"This game is definitely not a friendly," he said.

"We have not forgotten what they [Ireland] did to us over there. We got well beaten that day and that is in the back of our minds.

"It will be fuelling our fires at the weekend, that's for sure.

"We are purposely playing this close to the World Cup so we get on the plane battle hardened. That means coming off the back of an intense game with a win.

"We were frustrated with that loss in Wales. You only had to look at the gaffer's [Johnson's] face after the game. I'd think Ireland are disappointed with their losses so far."

England are bidding to appear in a third straight World Cup final, having lost in the Paris climax of the last edition to reigning champions South Africa four years ago.

But Rowntree is well aware that a defeat by Ireland would up the stakes for this England side.

"If we lose it will put a bit of pressure on us. It would be nothing we can't handle -- but it will put a bit of pressure on us for sure."

Ireland overwhelmed England the last time the teams met and the memory of that defeat remains vivid for former Test prop Rowntree.

"They brought an intensity to the game, to the breakdown and set piece that they hadn't really brought all tournament. They saved that one for us," said Rowntree.

"We have had a good look at that video in the training camp and it has given us a few things to work on."

England intend to field their strongest available team against Ireland but with squad captain Lewis Moody and scrum-half Ben Youngs both continuing their recovery from knee injuries, it could well be a very different team that lines-up against Argentina.

Back-row forward James Haskell could also miss out after undergoing a scan on what England said was a "minor foot injury" on Tuesday.

However, loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan is set to play following post-season shoulder surgery.

"We'll have our strongest team out," said Rowntree.

"I am not suggesting it will be our starting team against Argentina because we have still got a few positions to sort out in the pecking order.

"In crucial positions we have people challenging. That is a good thing this close to the World Cup.

"Ben and Lewis wont be involved this weekend. Whether they are involved against Argentina, we will see after week one in New Zealand."

AFP