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Perth - England coach Martin Johnson says his team's five-match tour of Australasia will act as an early preparation for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
England's tour begins on Tuesday with a match against the Barbarians in Perth. England will play two tests against Australia, two against the Barbarians and one game against New Zealand Maori this month.
"It's the last time we'll be on tour before the World Cup in 2011, so in terms of a build-up it probably starts now in terms of World Cup preparation," Johnson told Australian Associated Press on Friday.
"It gives some players a genuine opportunity to advance themselves. We've got 44 (players) and it has to go down to 32, and there's probably four or five other guys who aren't here through injury. So we are looking at 50 players in competition for that 32."
Star England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who has overcome a back injury, will play in Australia for the first time since kicking the winning dropped goal in the 2003 World Cup final against the Wallabies.
England had an inconsistent Six Nations tournament, beating Italy and Wales, drawing with Scotland and losing to Ireland and France.
Captain Lewis Moody said his team's 12-10 away loss to France proved the team's development was on track.
"It's about continuing the momentum from that French game," Moody said. "We didn't win, but we took our form forward and it's important we keep doing that."
England plays its first test against Australia in Perth on June 12.
