| Rugby League World Cup 2017: Australia v England |
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| Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Date: Friday, 27 October Time: 10:00 BST |
| Coverage: Live coverage on BBC Two (from 09:00 BST) and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app; highlights on BBC Two at 23:50 BST |
Wayne Bennett's England will have arguably the toughest test of their World Cup credentials in Friday's tournament opener against Australia.
The Kangaroos are the reigning champions from 2013, and have not been beaten in any Test match since a 26-12 loss to New Zealand in May 2015.
England, who won 74-12 in their warm-up against Affiliated States, have not beaten the Kangaroos since 1995.
Their last meeting with the joint-hosts was a 36-18 defeat in November 2016.
Victory for either side would make them favourites to top the group, which also includes Lebanon and France, and likely mean missing out on drawing New Zealand in the knockout phase.
History is against Bennett's side, as England have only won two of 16 matches against Australia, whose last home defeat by northern hemisphere opposition came against Great Britain in 2006.
Skipper Sean O'Loughlin and St Helens hooker James Roby are the only survivors in the current squad of the Lions line-up that beat the Roos in Sydney during that year's Tri-Nations.
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