Dean Ryan believes England must beat Australia at Twickenham on Saturday to earn any salvation from what has been a torrid autumn series for Stuart Lancaster’s side.
Although England suffered narrow three-point losses against southern hemisphere giants New Zealand and South Africa earlier in November, Ryan says it is no longer about performance, potential and development but merely about the result.
Ryan, who won six caps for England between 1990 and 1998, told Sky Sports News HQ: “It’s time for England to deliver because this autumn has been really tough for them.
“There was a lot of optimism, with many looking at three wins out of four. The win against Samoa last weekend was a release of pressure but they need a credible win against one of the big three contenders for next year’s World Cup.
“So what sort of game will England play? There’s been a lot of tactical talk and talk of performances with England struggling to find the right balance.
“However, Saturday is just about winning. They must exaggerate their areas of strength and nullify Australia’s areas of attack.
“We won’t care on Sunday whether it was a good performance or not. We’ll only care if England have had a decent win, a comprehensive win. It’s the only way that will leap-frog them into the Six Nations.”
The 48-year-old former Saracens, Newcastle and Bristol No 8 says it is time for England to put the result first, by adding: “Ever since Stuart Lancaster took over there has been a lot of optimism about this group of players. But this is the first time it’s been about delivery.
“There’s now a little bit of heat in the camp and on them and around the management and selection. The players will know the pressure is on them, there’s no dressing up, no more talk about development come five o’clock on Saturday.
“This is purely about ‘did we win or did we not?’ And if we didn’t, it will be a lonely three months (for Lancaster and his management team) waiting for the Six Nations.
“And then next year it opens at the Millennium Stadium against Wales which is not the place to recover any ground.”
And the pressure, according to Ryan, will even apply to George Ford the newly-installed fly-half.
“The young man at No 10, Ford, who is only making his second start, will have to lead this team and put it in the right areas," he added.
“Yes, there are senior players around him, who will be able to steer him tactically but England will have to have their forward pack in the ascendency but there is no hiding place.
“If you play 10 you run the show, whether you’re 20 years old or 35. And if Ford gets England into the right places then it’ll be up to someone like Billy Tweletrees to see if he can open up a chance. The last three weeks it hasn’t shown.
“It should be a great battle. England have the supremacy in the forward pack, while Australia have one of the best attacks with the likes of Ashley Cooper and Israel Folau.
“Australia are tired, have new management, but they still bring a great strength in attack. Ireland did a great job last week by keeping them in the corner. They said ‘we’re not going to play the game you like’ and England need to do the same thing on Saturday.
“England need to win that tactical battle but they haven’t won the tactical battle so far this autumn. Forget performance, win the tactical battle and I think England can win by 10 points.”
Watch England take on Australia at Twickenham on Sky Sports 2 HD, starting 2.30pm