ENGLAND skipper Martin Johnson has sent out a chilling warning to Wales ahead of Sunday's World Cup showdown.

"One team will be going home after this, and one team will be a semi-finalist. We intend to make sure it's us.", said Johnson.

"We can play a lot better than we have so far and we're going to have to shut Wales down," he continued.

Ace goal-kicker Jonny Wilkinson marks the occasion by winning his 50th cap at the age of 24 and his phenomenal points tally now stands at 757 for England.

"This is the real thing and Wales are dangerous opponents," said Johnson at a packed press conference in Brisbane, adding that he was impressed by Wales' performance against the All Blacks.

"Wales have got nothing to lose, they've got plenty of talent there and we had a tough time at the Millennium Stadium in February.

"We can lose the game if we don't play well and they play like they did last week. "They proved they can score tries and they can break our line.

"When we came in from the Uruguay game the score was 28-10, but before we knew it

Wales were ahead. Then we had to do the speeches, but to come back like that to lead against New Zealand was a hell of an achievement, and they played some great rugby.

"You'd have got some long odds on them taking the lead like that and you've got to say it was fantastic the way they played.

"It was a great game for the tournament, not many teams have scored 37 points against New Zealand, we haven't. But it was the skill factor too, they played some great rugby."

Wilkinson echoed his captain's words after entering the crowded room when Johnson had left.

"It's a massive fixture against Wales.

"In my short time the fixture which sticks in the mind most is the Wales game because the first few minutes are more intense.

"We have played enough against Wales to know they are a huge threat. It was no surprise to see them play like that, they are hugely dangerous."

Johnson says the Welsh team's performances have not been reflected through their club form.

"The national team has not reflected the amount of talented players they have got, we can take nothing for granted."