With Australia's front and back rows all but pencilled in, the Wallabies second row has been a hot topic in the lead-up to the first Test in Brisbane.

With Kane Douglas, who started against New Zealand in the World Cup final, ruled out through injury, Cheika has been searching for a suitable replacement to join Simmons.

Brumbies workhorses Rory Arnold and Sam Carter were included in a 33-man squad alongside Waratahs Dean Mumm and Will Skelton, but the former Wallabies captain believes Horwill, who postponed his honeymoon to return for this series, is Australia's best option.

"I wouldn't be surprised if James Horwill is picked in the starting position because he's experienced around the English style of game," Sharpe said.

"He would have a lot to prove because he's obviously still carrying a bit of disappointment from the World Cup last year."

Horwill was a notable omission from the World Cup squad and since then has performed well for Harlequins during the English season.

Sharpe has a sneaking suspicion Horwill will have more motivation than the other second-rowers fighting for what appears to be one starting spot.

"I'm sure James would be all about the team doing well, but he'd be having a little message in the back of his head wanting to say to Michael Cheika, 'hey, you should have taken me last year'," Sharpe said.

"Things like that don't disappear on footballers and while I'm sure he's getting on and being positive, I'm sure he has a point to prove and I'm sure Michael Cheika is aware of that."

Sharpe, who will commentate for Channel Ten in all three Tests against the old enemy, believes it will be between Horwill and Carter for a starting position. He would like to see Skelton used off the bench regardless of who gets the nod in the final XV.

"Will Skelton offers something different and it helps that England have already touted it's going to be a physical game," Sharpe said.

"We haven't seen the best of Skelton this year. He seems to play his best football under Cheik, so I have a feeling we might see Skelton slip onto the bench and add a different dimension late in the game."

There has been plenty of excitement – particularly from the northern hemisphere – surrounding Eddie Jones' transformation of England from World Cup failures to Six Nations champions.

But Sharpe  isn't buying the hype, saying England will have their work cut out against an Australian side that pulled their pants down just a few months ago at Twickenham.

"The World Cup was only a short time ago and it's a very similar squad that's come Down Under, so I'm not sure how much impact Eddie could have had in that short amount of time," Sharpe said.

"I don't think Eddie Jones is going to be in the mood to lose 3-0 and that's going to be reflected in the way his players take the field. I think you'll see a pretty tough contest across the park.

"Eddie Jones recognises that England need to be brutal to have a chance, so he's going to have his players very fired up and there is no doubt they will come out with the mindset to just get physically stuck into Australia."