Bulls coach Brian Noble is backing England to prove the gulf between themselves and the southern hemisphere giants is not as wide as some pundits have claimed.

Noble was at Twickenham to see the Aussies confirm their status as tournament favour-ites with a 22-2 win over John Kear's men, but says doom merchants are well wide of the mark.

"I thought England competed really well and I have every confidence in the quality of the kids coming through," said Noble. "People have said we are still ten to 15 years behind the Aussies and, to a lesser degree, the Kiwis, but I think we have made tremendous progress in recent years.

"Certainly if you could throw in the likes of Iestyn Harris and Keiron Cunningham, which Great Britain will be able to do when the tours start again next year, I think we would be very competitive."

Noble was delighted with the contributions of the Bulls contingent against the Aussies and is looking forward to seeing Paul Deacon and Jamie Pea-cock grab their chance against Russia at Knowsley Road, St Helens tonight.

"They both have a lot of qualities and I thought 20 minutes of Jamie against the Aussies would have done us no harm at all.

"He's deserved his chance and I know how determined he is to take it."

Bulls stand-off Henry Paul is rested for New Zealand's Group Two match against the Cook Islands at the Madejski Stadium.

Paul picked up an ankle injury in the Kiwis' 64-0 win over Lebanon on Sunday, and coach Frank Endacott leaves him out for tomorrow's match as a precaution.

He is expected to return for the final pool game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Younger brother Robbie, who was on the bench at Gloucester, starts at scrum half - and there is a place for Leeds centre Richie Blackmore.

Endacott gives debuts to Parramatta centre David Vaea-liki and Auckland Warriors second-row forward Ali Lauiti-iti, who is finally set to take the field for the Kiwis two-and-a-half years after originally being selected for the side.

Lauitiiti was in the squad for the 1998 Test series win over Great Britain but did not make the team, and was also selected for last season's ANZAC Test but missed out because of suspension.

England (v Russia): Wellens; Pryce, Walker, Senior, Rogers; Farrell, Deacon; Stephenson, Rowley, Fleary, Peacock, Hay, Sinfield. Subs: Long, Spruce, Howard, Fielden.

New Zealand (v Cook Islands): Barnett; N Vagana, Blackmore, Vaealiki, Vainikolo; Lavea, Paul; J Vagana, Swain, Cayless, Lauitiiti, Puletua, Wiki. Subs: Jones, Smith, Pongia, Kearney.

Scotland (v Ireland): Penny; Daylight, Bell, Gilmour, Crowther; Purcell, Horne; Heckenberg, Russell, Laughton, Logan, S Cram, Vowles. Subs: Maiden, McDonald, Arnold, D Shaw.

Wibsey Primary School teach-er Brian King will be an in-goal judge at Gateshead tonight when Australia face Fiji.