AUSTRALIA showed just why they are being tipped to win rugby's Under 21 World Cup with a 52-22 destruction of England in front of a crowd of over 2,000 at Iffley Road last night.

The powerful Aussies, who can boast ten players with Super 12 experience in their squad, scored seven tries to put into unpalatable perspective the hosts' hopes of making an impact in this tournament.

England were outsized, outskilled and outpaced.

Although they made a mess of their opponents' scrummage on a number of occasions, England, coached by the former Bath international duo of Jon Callard and Nigel Redman, were shambolic in most other regards.

Their lineout failed to function throughout and their midfield was hesitant and lacking in penetration.

Particularly impressive for the Australians were New South Wales Waratahs blindside flanker Rocky Elsom and ACT Brumbies winger Mark Gerrard.

Both are tipped to make their country's squad for the senior World Cup this October, and looked a class above anything on show for the hosts.

Australia led 24-15 at the interval courtesy of tries from Gerrard, his opposite wing Cameron Shepherd and openside Lei Tomiki, plus three Gerrard conversions and a bizarre penalty that seemed to dip under the crossbar.

England replied with tries from hooker Chris Rowland and prop Michael Holford, along with an Ed Thrower conversion and penalty.

But the Aussies ran away with it after the break, Shepherd, fly half Lachlan MacKay, Elsom, and replacement Elia Tuqiri. Gerrard converted all four.

England's second-half points came courtesy of a penalty try and conversion by Thrower.

Earlier in the day at Iffley Road, Ireland had lost 36-27 to defending champions South Africa

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

South Africa 36, Ireland 27; Argentina 62, Canada 13; England 22, Australia 52; Japan 14, New Zealand 61; Scotland 19, Wales 37; France 34, Italy 7.