Lewis Moody denies provoking Keven Mealamu

Unsubstantiated internet rumours, referenced in some sections of the New Zealand press, claimed Moody had made insulting comments about Mealamu's family in the build-up to the incident. Mealamu was banned for four weeks for striking Moody but the All Blacks have lodged an appeal, which will be heard in Edinburgh today.

Moody, who required treatment after being struck on the back of the head, categorically denies doing anything provocative. "Absolutely nothing. I certainly didn't say anything," Moody insisted.

New Zealand were enraged by Mealamu's suspension and yesterday named him in the team to face Scotland, having vowed they would fight "to the death" to clear the hooker's name. "We were always intending to play him and we hope we can," said head coach Graham Henry. "He's a very important part of our team. He's a top man, he's got very high personal standards - he sees himself as a role model for young people.

"He's a bit destroyed about what's happened. Once the appeal is over, hopefully we'll get a positive result and move on."

Moody will lead England into battle against Australia tomorrow, demanding his men prove their victory over the Wallabies in Sydney was not a one-off.

England bounced back from a disappointing defeat in Perth to draw the summer Test series 1-1 with a 21-20 triumph at the Oly-mpic stadium. It was only England's third Test victory on Australian soil outside of a World Cup, and Moody had hoped it would act as a springboard into the autumn campaign.

England were beaten 26-16 by New Zealand last weekend and that has only heightened Moody's determination heading into the Cook Cup showdown.

"We need to show we are a quality side," he said. "Australia are hungry for revenge after what was a tough game in Sydney, which we just sneaked.

"They are playing much better rugby than they were playing in the summer.

"We are very excited about this game because we realise at the weekend we had an opportunity to beat the No 1 side in the world but we missed it because of a lack of composure.''

Meanwhile, Australia hooker Stephen Moore has recovered from a back injury to bolster the suspect Wallaby scrum. Moore returns to an otherwise unchanged Australia team after being forced to pull out of last weekend's 25-16 victory over Wales at the 11th hour.

The Wallaby scrum struggled at the Millennium Stadium and they were under pressure the week before against New Zealand in Hong Kong.England's powerful pack are expected to dominate in a similar fashion but Moore's return reunites Australia's first-choice front row.

Moore, Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander all started the Wallabies' 18-9 victory at Twickenham last year but they all missed the drawn summer Test series against England through injury. "Twickenham is one of the great stages to play rugby and there's no greater test for us than this Saturday. I can't wait to get out there," said Moore.

"They're a quality front row. They showed that last weekend (against New Zealand) and I'm sure they will again on Saturday.

"I have a huge amount of respect for them now. Dan Cole's developed into a world-class tight-head for them now and it will be a good test for us."

Although Australia's pack has been under pressure in recent weeks, their lethal back division still managed to find a way to beat the All Blacks and Wales.

The Wallabies did the same to England in Perth during the summer, where their rookie pack were splintered but Quade Cooper's artistry inspired them to a 27-17 victory, before England bounced back the following week in Sydney and edged a 21-20 result.

Australia team: K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, D Mitchell; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Robinson, S Moore, B Alexander, M Chisholm, N Sharpe, R Elsom (capt), D Pocock, B McCalman. Subs: H Edmonds, J Slipper, D Mumm, R Brown, L Burgess, B Barnes, L Turner.