Lewsey scored 22 tries for England, including a crucial one in last year's World Cup semi-final against France.

BBC: Lewsey retires from England duty

The Samoan-born forward made 48 appearances in the All Blacks' back-row, starting against Argentina in 2003 and ending in New Zealand's 20-18 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in Cardiff.

BBC: Ospreys sign ex-All Black Collins

England recorded a 24-13 victory in the 2008 Six Nations tournament and won the World Cup semi-final 14-9 at the Stade de France in October 2007.

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One of the most painful of those was the 19-13 loss in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final at the Stade de France and, when Argentina beat Scotland in the first Test in South America last year, one feared it could yet be a long wait until victory was experienced again.

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Left-back Fabio Grosso, who netted the winning penalty in the 2006 World Cup final against France, scored a classy opener against the Bulgarians while his Juve team-mate Claudio Marchisio did well on the left midfield flank.

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Lewsey had started every game in the World Cup, scoring the only try in the semi-final victory over France, but was ruled out of the final after suffering a hamstring injury.

BBC: Vainikolo named in England squad

Since then, of course, the world's number one team have suffered the trauma of another World Cup disaster, the favourites shocked by France in last year's quarter-final in Cardiff.

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Under Camacho Spain failed to break through the quarter-final barrier and lost to France at Euro 2000 and South Korea at the World Cup Finals 2002.

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Italy also had an inexperienced line-up with Gennaro Gattuso and Fabio Grosso the only survivors from the 2006 World Cup final win over France for the game played in front of only 8, 000 spectators.

BBC: Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland