England's Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward believes Lawrence Dallaglio is key to England's hopes of mounting a successful title defence.
The veteran Wasps number eight has not played for his country since the 2006 Six Nations and his last Test start was way back on the summer tour of New Zealand and Australia in 2004 - after which he retired from the international scene for two years.
England head coach Brian Ashton enjoys strong back-row options, with up-and-coming talents like Nick Easter, James Haskell and Dan Ward-Smith all vying for selection.
But Dallaglio, 34, was included in Ashton's World Cup training squad after ending the season in impressive form as he captained Wasps to victory in the Heineken Cup.
And Woodward insists his experience will be vital for England, whose first big hurdle is the crunch pool match against South Africa.
"It's good they are bringing back some experienced players, the World Cup is not the time to blood new players - and I've always thought we've got the players," said Woodward.
"I would play him [Dallaglio], no doubt, as long as he's fit.
"I used to try to think 'what would South Africa be thinking?'
"If South Africa know Dallaglio is playing, it may put a few doubts in their mind - they don't want to see him playing.
"If he's fit, get him straight back in the team."
No side has ever retained the title and the odds are heavily against England becoming the first.
They have dipped to seventh in the world since Woodward masterminded their triumph in 2003 and, crucially, have not won away from Twickenham in eight matches.
Four years ago, England also faced a crunch pool match against the Springboks and victory in Perth put them on the path to the World Cup final.
With this tournament only two months away, South Africa are a much stronger outfit and tipped as one of the few teams who could challenge New Zealand.
But Woodward insists England can repeat that 2003 pool win when they meet at the Stade de France on September 14.
And, if they do that, Woodward sees no reason why Brian Ashton's men cannot then go on to mount a serious World Cup challenge.
"If they can get their best 15 they can cause an upset," Woodward told BBC Sport. "They can do this if they get their right team on the field.
"If they win against South Africa in Paris, they can go all the way. Whoever wins that game has got a very good chance in the final."
Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson has joined the rest of the England training squad in Portugal after recovering from a bout of viral gastro-enteritis.
Hodgson remained at home on Thursday when the party left for the Algarve to help speed up his recovery and ensure the illness did not sweep through the squad, as it did on the recent tour of South Africa.
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