Lancaster’s Red Rose currently sit fourth in the IRB rankings and if they stay there by the time the 2015 World Cup rolls along they would get a far more favourable draw, avoiding the other teams in the top four when the pool draw is made on December 3.

That is easier said than done however with England set to host Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham before the end of the year.

But despite admitting that the aim is to have England climb two places in the world rankings by the end of 2013, Lancaster isn’t concentrating on the table too hard, adamant he will have to meet all the top sides at some point if you have ideas of lifting the cup when all is sad and done.

"You can become obsessed with the outcome," said Lancaster. "I'm much more about the process. What is the process going to be? How are we going to get the players fit, in-form, playing the right game plan, beating Fiji etc? The ranking will look after itself.

"It's in the back of my mind but the reality is to win a World Cup you are going to have to beat the best sides at some point along the way.

“I reminded the players that there is a World Cup draw made the Monday after the game with New Zealand but I will not use that as the motivation and the driver behind performance.

"Our overall aim and objective is to be ranked in the top two, two years out from the World Cup. I think that is a realistic goal and that is what we are trying to achieve."