Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio says the current side are not good enpugh to repeat the 2003 World Cup triumph.
Dallaglio was part of the triumphant England side that famously won the 2003 World Cup in Australia but he does not feel the current crop are about to emulate them in New Zealand.
Dallaglio insists England cannot count themselves among the best two sides in the world ahead of the tournament and says reaching the semi-finals would be a decent achievement.
"Hand on heart, England are not favourites," he said.
"They are not the number one side in the world; they are not the number two.
"What can we realistically expect from England in this World Cup? Well, if they got to the semi-finals and played well then I think the majority of people would be happy.
"I don't think Martin Johnson would be happy. I don't think the coaches would be, I don't think the players would be happy but the majority of people would say that is not a bad reflection of where you are at the moment."