IF he thought his year couldn't get any better, it just did. Tony Diprose will lead England into Cook Cup battle with Australia tomorrow morning.

Speaking from England's training camp in Brisbane, the Saracens skipper told The Watford Observer of his delight as his remarkable season took yet another turn for the better.

"It has been a great year," said Diprose, who tomorrow will captain perhaps the greenest collection of players to wear the white jersey in decades.

"Now we are raring to go. Morale is high, confidence is high. I won't need to motivate them, the jersey will do that. My job is to keep them calm."

Diprose got the nod after Northampton scrum half Matt Dawson, who is leading the squad in the southern hemisphere tour, strained knee ligaments in training.

Dawson himself was only made captain when it became clear that neither Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson or Tim Rodber would be touring because of injury. Diprose, as a club skipper, was next in line for the captaincy when Dawson again succumbed to knee trouble.

He said: "I found out at training last night that Dawse was unavailable for the game. I had not really considered the captaincy at all before I was told I would be leading the team out on Saturday.

A smooth operator at all times, Diprose has taken this latest promotion in his stride. Not surprising for a man who, throughout the dramatic rise of his club and himself, has kept his feet firmly on the ground.

He made his England debut on last summer's tour of Argentina and impressed against the Pumas. His 'basketball' hands caught the eye again during this season's Five Nations, when he displaced Newcastle's Dean Ryan at number eight after playing only a bit part in the first three matches of the championship.

Even if Clive Woodward had not been deprived the services of several key players for this summer tour, Diprose would surely have been on the plane anyway. His profile has soared by virtue of his Saracens captaincy and his form in the club's excellent season.

Diprose spoke during the Five Nations of his frustration at not getting an extended run in the England side, and hoped this tour would provide such an opportunity. He would never have dreamt, however, that he would be a mainstay of the touring side as skipper.

"My tasks are different now," he admitted. "But we are playing Australia and I have to be on top form myself. I must play well, that is the main priority."

In looking forward to the match, it is impossible to ignore England's lack of experience. It will take a phenomenal effort, both physical and cerebral, to beat Australia.

Saracens Ben Sturnham and Steve Ravenscroft are two of five uncapped players in the team. Of the remainder, many, such as fellow Saracen Danny Grewcock, are big on talent, but short on international experience.

But Diprose talks up England's chances, knowing that the disparaging comments from the Australian rugby hierarchy about the strength of Woodward's squad, and the fact that the Australian press has already written off England in a gleeful spate of pom-bashing, has stoked the passion of his players.

He said: "There is boundless enthusiasm in the squad and motivation will not be a problem. Not a lot of the guys have got international experience, but we can all play a bit. We would not have come over here if we didn't think we could win."

England's Cook Cup clash with Australia can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 tomorrow morning. Coverage starts at 10.30am.

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