Their World Cup triumph seemed an age ago, rather than just seven months, as they were crushed 51-15 by Australia after losing 36-3 and 36-12 in two Tests against the All Blacks.

It was a tour too far for exhausted minds and bodies, but England have to bounce back as they face Twickenham appointments with Australia, South Africa and Canada in November.

Head coach Sir Clive Woodward is confident England will recover quickly, especially given the probable return to international rugby of injury-hit trio Jonny Wilkinson, Phil Vickery and Lewis Moody.

They've also got Jason Robinson to come back following his summer off, while Woodward will hope centre Will Greenwood and lock Ben Kay can recapture the form that deserted them post-World Cup.

It won't be easy, but skipper Dallaglio, a shining light in adversity through his leadership Down Under, knows England have got some questions to answer.

It is a different challenge, he said, before heading for a well-earned summer break.

We have all played in great teams, and when things go well and you are winning every week, people say nice things about you and everyone is very content and happy.

We now face a different challenge, but a very exciting challenge to rebuild the side and get back to where we want to get to - the top of world rugby.

That is possibly what I need at this stage of my career, because it is a different challenge to the one I've just had, he added.

It is a challenge that I am anxious to pursue because it will probably be even more satisfying if we achieve it.

I knew it would be tough. When I finished the World Cup, I asked the same questions as a lot of players - where are my ambitions? Where are my desires?

All the questions I asked myself were firmly pointed at continuing to play for Wasps and England.

Despite the magnitude of England's defeat - they've now lost four Tests in succession and won just three times from eight starts since the World Cup - there were positives to emerge.

Fly-half Charlie Hodgson showed some wonderfully instinctive touches, confirming he has a definite long-term England future, maybe with Wilkinson featuring at inside centre.

Wasps wing Tom Voyce also had his moments, together with centre Stuart Abbott before a shoulder injury forced him home early, while flanker Joe Worsley was arguably England's outstanding player.