England depart on Wednesday for a gruelling June schedule which features two Tests against the All Blacks and a mouth-watering World Cup final rematch with the Wallabies.

There is plenty at stake with Woodwards men looking to prove they are worthy of the tag world champions while their opponents will be keen to avenge their home defeats by England last summer.

Injury and the international retirement of key members of the squad which lifted the Webb Ellis trophy has raised concerns over Englands chances.

But with English Premiership finalists Wasps and Bath supplying 16 tourists Woodward is confident at least half his 31-strong party will be ready for the physical challenge that lies ahead.

The intensity of Saturdays championship match will help tremendously. That game and Wasps European Cup final was as hard as any Test I have seen, said the England coach. I was at pitchside and it was a fantastic game - especially as no one picked up any injuries. Contests like that make players battle-hardened.

We have only got three more games to go this season and we are determined to front up and I am sure we will.

Sales Charlie Hodgson faces one of the toughest jobs on tour - filling the boots of golden boy Jonny Wilkinson.

The Sharks fly-half has been Wilkinsons understudy for nearly three years but his international appearances have been limited by two serious knee injuries.

He missed out on the World Cup with the second of those setbacks after being a certainty for the tournament squad and Woodward hopes the 23-year-old stays injury-free.

I want Charlie to stay fit because these will be the biggest games he has ever played in. I am glad he got through Sales match on the weekend, he said.

It is a huge opportunity for him. Every time the door has been open to him he has been unfortunate with injury. This time he is fit.